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CLAUS SELTZ 




Direct-Method 

% 

Physical Development 


Application of Direct Methods in Acquiring 

Nerve-Force 

and 

Muscle-Force 

Combining Instructions in Full Respiration and 
Interior Exercises of the Abdomen 

A Treatise 

Also Timely Hints on Bathing, Dry 
Friction, Proper Clothing, 

Food and Drink 

By 

CLAUS SELTZ 

>• * 


» * ♦ 


Illustrated 


R. F. FENNO & COMPANY 

16 EAST 17TH STREET NEW YORK 





Copyright, 1917 

BY 

R. F. FENNO & COMPANY 



JUN IS 1917 


©CL A 4 675 4 3 


PREFACE 


T NSPIRED with a firm belief in the ulti- 
**■ mate success of those who are endeavor¬ 
ing to lead society into saner modes of living 
and the enjoyment of rational pleasure, I 
desire to contribute my mite to their laudable 
efforts. I have formulated a system of self- 
help which will, I believe, be recognized as a 
valuable addition to the current works on 
these subjects, and of practical assistance to 
every man, woman and child who seriously 
undertakes its demonstration. 

I have had this work in preparation for 
some time, but have not given it publicity for 
the reason that I desired to fully demonstrate 
every phase of my system and prove its 
efficacy. This I have done to my entire sat¬ 
isfaction. My daily work is of a strictly 
sedentary nature, requiring no muscular effort 
whatsoever, but the accompanying illustra¬ 
tions show what can be done by the exercise 
of a little patience, perseverance, and the 
moderate use of will-power and concen¬ 
tration. 


IX 


X 


PREFACE 


“How to infuse — direct from within — 
the nervous and muscular systems and all of 
the interior functions of the body with su¬ 
perior vitality,” is a question the solution of 
which is of the utmost importance to all. I 
believe that I have solved this vital question, 
and in submitting my ideas, together with full 
instructions for making them effective, I trust 
my efforts will receive thoughtful considera¬ 
tion and prove of practical value. 

My direct-method system is founded on 
fundamental principles of natural law, and 
it furnishes a key to physical perfection that 
should be constantly used. In actual practice 
the generation of nerve and muscle-force by 
the direct method will prove how easily a 
surplus of vitality and strength may be ac¬ 
quired with very little exertion. 

It is neither intended nor expected that my 
system shall supersede first-aid, medical or 
surgical assistance in cases of accident, sud¬ 
den illness, chronic or contagious diseases. 
When such contingencies arise the services of 
a competent and trustworthy physician or 
surgeon should be immediately secured. 


PREFACE 


xi 


While a strict adherence to my system of 
maintaining health and vigor will undoubt¬ 
edly greatly reduce the annual “doctor’s 
bill,” I wish it distinctly understood that I 
have a profound respect for the honest and 
qualified physician and surgeon. Further¬ 
more, I deem it the duty of every one to 
inform himself as to which are the honest 
and competent physicians and surgeons in his 
community, thus being able, in time of need, 
to avoid incompetence, mistrust and possible 
malpractice. 

If this course were more generally pursued 
it would ultimately do away with quacks and 
quackism, and relegate to oblivion the dis¬ 
honest druggists and the compounders of 
worthless and often deadly nostrums. The 
malpractitioners and the lawless drug- 
venders, who subjugate their victims through 
quackism and the lust of pelf, may be com¬ 
pared to “the father of evil walking through 
the earth seeking whom he may devour.” 
Their cupidity is positively opposed to the 
general welfare and to the health of the 
people. 


XU 


PREFACE 


The efforts of state and national legislative 
bodies, and the occasional criminal prosecu¬ 
tions, which curtail but do not eliminate these 
evils, are truly commendable. However, the 
complete elimination of them will not be 
accomplished until the people as a whole 
leave severely alone the cure-all nostrums 
that injure the vital functions of the body. 
Likewise, not until all editors or publishers 
become more scrupulous in cleansing their 
columns of quack doctors’ and cure-all drug 
advertisements. 

Another evil, not generally known, is a 
custom adopted by many of the larger drug 
stores of paying their clerks a cash commis¬ 
sion on the sales of certain drugs or patent 
medicines in which there is a large profit, 
regardless of the deplorable consequences 
that may follow their use. 

Although a great many people are aware 
of some of the unwholesome conditions, 
nevertheless I deem it a duty to add an em¬ 
phatic denunciation of the quack and drug 
evils, for they are directly responsible for 
many of the most perplexing mental and 


l 


PREFACE 


• • • 
Xlll 

physical ills of modern society. The enor¬ 
mous amount of money expended for quack 
fees and worthless drugs, by those who can 
least afford it, augments the woes of the 
people and contributes largely to the chronic 
“high cost of living.” 

While many of the suggestions offered 
relative to hygiene, diet, etc., are now being 
practiced by those interested in physical cul¬ 
ture, I claim originality for the direct method 
of generating nerve and muscle-force. As a 
citizen of the United States I am sincerely 
interested in the welfare and the health of 
its people, for whose benefit this work is 
intended and dedicated, and I confidently 
believe that if the instructions are faithfully 
followed they will lead to permanent health, 
endurance and buoyancy. This is bounteous 
nature’s intent and purpose, and she has sup¬ 
plied without stint the means for their at¬ 
tainment—and within us all. 

Claus Seltz. 

Seattle, Washington. 






Direct-Method 
Physical Development 

INTRODUCTORY 
STUDY of nature reveals the fact that 



life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness 
are inherent rights of man. And yet, how 
few really enjoy them. Man claims and is 
entitled to equal rights and equal privileges 
in the conservation of life, in the choice of 
vocation and in the expression of love and 
happiness. While economic conditions, in 
great measure, are responsible for the failure 
of a majority of mankind to enjoy these 
blessings, it is also true that man possesses 
within himself a subtle power sufficiently 
potent to overcome most of his troubles. He 
needs only to be taught how to generate and 
utilize this God-given power. And it should 
ever be borne in mind that no matter how 
nicely economic conditions may be adjusted, 
it is only with perfect health that mankind 
can enjoy to the full the rights and privileges 
vouchsafed by an all-wise providence. 



16 Direct Method 

Perfect health is not only attained by phys¬ 
ical labor and muscular exertion, it is 
acquired and maintained by pure and whole¬ 
some thoughts and desires of the conscious 
realm of the mind, earnestly directed to and 
distinctly imprinted in a suggestive manner 
on the subconscious realm. The subconscious 
realm of the mind truly is the silent and secret 
power of involuntary functional activity, and 
when wisely directed is a never-failing aid in 
the acquirement of physical perfection. With 
the mind directing the activities in labor or 
exercise, together with sane and wholesome 
living, the foundation is laid for the attain¬ 
ment of perfect health. 

Assuming that the real desire of mankind 
is health first and wealth next — although 
this assumption is hardly susceptible of proof 
— would it not be better for those who are 
so strenuously pursuing the god of wealth to 
study the vital principles of health? Would 
it not be better to utilize fully the faculties of 
mind and body with which man has been so 
generously endowed by nature? For by ap¬ 
plying the process of direct nerve and muscle- 


Physical Development 17 

force a vigorous body and a long life are 
insured for the enjoyment of the fruits of 
well-directed labor. 

It is generally conceded that the Almighty 
Ruler of the Universe created and endowed 
the human race with self-executive power; 
that every human being is given a free and 
independent threefold mind, consisting of a 
conscious, a subconscious and a supercon¬ 
scious realm. The conscious realm controls 
the voluntary actions of the mind and body 
for good or evil, namely to think, to reason, 
to desire, to will, to create, to govern, to 
construct or to destroy. The subconscious 
realm, or what is sometimes called the mind 
of the immortal soul, is the unlimited reposi¬ 
tory of power, memory, dreams and pre¬ 
monitions. This realm is ever-active, and 
never sleeps nor rests; nor has it a will or 
reason of its own, as it acts involuntarily and 
controls the involuntary functions of mind 
and body by supplying the motive power with 
which to carry out suggestions. This power, 
so wonderful in possibilities, is in most indi¬ 
viduals merely primarily incited or unknow- 


18 Direct Method 

ingly suggested and imprinted by the con¬ 
scious upon the subconscious realm, and in 
a very limited degree. Whereas, if sugges¬ 
tions of health, vitality, etc., were consciously 
directed upon the subconscious realm they 
would work wondrous results in the mental 
and physical power of the individual. 

It is undoubtedly true that in the free use 
of these powerful factors of the conscious 
and subconscious realms of the mind lies the 
secret of success of the great and famous 
men and women of the past and of the pres¬ 
ent. Impressed with definite purposes by a 
determined will the subconscious realm util¬ 
izes by degrees its unbounded power and 
brings forth a full realization of the conscious 
desires. 

The conscious and subconscious realms of 
the mind are inseparable, and the student 
should fully realize that these two folds of 
the mind are the first direct means of con¬ 
trolling and influencing life-essence or stim¬ 
ulus for the welfare of the body. 

Notwithstanding that the third fold or 
realm of the mind will not be of particular 


Physical Development 


i9 


concern in the present work, brief reference 
should be made to this sublime and incom¬ 
prehensible attribute which, in part, consti¬ 
tutes the spiritual or superconscious mind. 
This realm is not conferred by mortal 
parents, because it is of Infinite Mind or 
Spirit, and responds to divine appeal or law 
only, from which it receives wisdom, love 
and the power to apprehend and know truth, 
righteousness and sincerity. And it is in 
this divine realm of the mind only that true 
worship and earnest and sincere prayer may 
apprehend divine blessings. All else pertain¬ 
ing to temporal existence has been bountifully 
provided by nature. It is useless, therefore, 
to pray for temporal resources, possibilities 
and power which are within us and about us 
naturally provided; rather would it be in 
order to give thanks for these manifold tem¬ 
poral blessings. 

In the wonderful human bodily makeup of 
boundless resources, possibilities and power, 
nature has decreed that each individual 
should govern, by reason and will, the volun¬ 
tary functions; also, by directing or impress- 


20 


Direct Method 


ing the subconscious mind, the involuntary 
functions of the body — exterior and interior 
— should be controlled and regulated. Na¬ 
ture, undoubtedly, did not intend that man¬ 
kind should be subject to the thousand and 
one mental and physical ailments and diseases 
which are so prevalent, particularly in urban 
communities. Unnatural living, irregular 
habits, dissipation, drugs, etc., are the cul¬ 
prits. Yet nature, ever kind and indulgent, 
has provided the means for correcting and 
relieving these unnatural conditions, in the 
simplest and most effective manner, without 
resorting to nostrums. As before stated, 
these means are within the individual, and 
are always available, being entirely divorced 
from isms or doctrines. 

It is regrettable but true that a majority 
of mankind still is of the old superstitious 
belief that God — or even false gods, as is 
frequently conceived by idol-worshippers — 
bestows or causes all human ills, and at the 
same time holds to the correct belief that we 
are all created free, equal and independent 
in our own beings or individualities. If I 


Physical Development 21 

wilfully or ignorantly disobey natural laws, 
by overindulgence in foods, stimulants, work, 
exercise or by dangerous undertakings— 
which in all probability will result in illness 
or injury — would it be reasonable or just 
to shift the blame to the Almighty for my 
disobedience? Rather should each one en¬ 
deavor to obey nature’s laws, and avoid so 
far as possible the dangers that may prove 
detrimental to health and true happiness. 
Also heed the premonitions or warnings 
which the subjective mind so frequently trans¬ 
mits to the conscious when danger is imminent 
or wrongful acts are incubating, as well as 
presenting at times instincts of right and 
instant impressions of advantageous or prop¬ 
er procedure. 

As truth is the foundation of every virtue, 
so is mentally directed physical force the 
basis of bodily excellence. Comprehending 
as we should the importance of using the 
mental faculties in connection with the health 
principles to be presented, let us consider in 
Part I the first essential of temporal life and 
the health of the body. 


22 


Direct-Method 


[The illustrations are intended to show that 
the author’s system is practical—that tensive 
compressure or direct muscle-force may be 
applied to any part of the body at any time 
and in any posture. They clearly demon¬ 
strate what can be accomplished without 
using gymnasium appliances or engaging in 
manual labor.] 




Natural posture, muscles relaxed 







PART I 

Correct and Full Respiration 

HE foremost requirement of the human 
being is fresh air, and yet a small mi¬ 
nority of mankind practice respiration cor¬ 
rectly. To make this treatise complete, it will 
be necessary to show how full or deep breath¬ 
ing may best be practiced, which is not gen¬ 
erally known notwithstanding all that has 
been written on the subject within the past 
fifteen or twenty years. By breathing clear 
out, clear in and down low, the lungs are 
fully inflated. The benefits to be derived 
from thus inflating the lungs with pure oxy¬ 
gen, which purifies the blood, renews vitality 
and builds up the general health, can not be 
overestimated. 

The first requirement, in ordinary as well 
as in correct breathing, is to breathe through 
the nose and not through the mouth. Chil¬ 
dren should be taught to breathe through the 
nose. If, however, organic obstruction exists 
in the lining of the nose, it should be prompt- 

23 


24 


Direct Method 


ly attended to by a competent surgeon. The 
interior of the nasal cavities is kept moist by 
mucus secreted by the membrane, and also 
by the fluid that is conveyed from the inner 
angle of the eyelids through the tear-duct. 
This lining of the nose is large and rumpled, 
and may be compared with ripples or the 
curling waves of the sea. Therefore, each 
cavity or nostril should be kept clean; they 
should be cleansed at least twice a day by 
drawing a number of draughts of tepid or 
cold pure water in each cavity separately, and 
then gushed or blown out, as it should be 
remembered that the bathing of the nose, 
which expels deadly micro-organisms and 
waste, is as necessary as the bathing of any 
part of the body. 

The nose also plays an important part in 
moderating hot or cold air before it enters 
the cavities of the lungs, where the oxygen 
supplies and purifies the blood. Further¬ 
more, the interior cleanliness of the nose is 
of utmost importance in speech and singing, 
as the voice is sounded, tuned and enriched 
through the nose. After the inhaled air has 


Physical Development 


25 


passed through the nose, and in some degree 
through the mouth in speaking or singing, it 
enters the voice-box or larynx, which is com¬ 
posed of a framework of gristle or cartilages, 
held together by fibrous membrane and 
moved by muscles. It contains the two vocal 
cords which are stretched and brought to¬ 
gether when sounds are being produced, and 
^separated to allow air to pass freely during 
silent breathing. It is connected above with 
the hyoid or bone of the tongue, which also 
gives attachment to the muscles of the tongue. 
The space between the vocal cords — glottis 
— is guarded above by a leaf-shaped cartil¬ 
aginous lid — epiglottis — which remains 
erect during breathing, but is pressed down 
for a moment during the act of swallowing, 
thus preventing any particles of food from 
going into the air passages. The inhaled air 
next enters the windpipe or trachea, which 
is continuous with the voice-box. It is a firm 
tube, lying on the front of the throat and 
extending into the upper part of the chest; 
its walls are supported by about twenty C- 
shaped rings of gristle or cartilage, incom- 


2 6 


Direct Method 


plete behind. At about the level of the fourth 
joint of the spine it divides into two tubes or 
bronchi which enter the lungs. These again 
divide and subdivide, until at last they give 
rise to very minute tubes which terminate in 
clusters of air-cells in all parts of the lungs, 
which is the goal of the inhaled air. 

The lungs are light, spongy organs, of a 
pink color, completely filling the cavity of the 
chest with the exception of the space occupied 
by the heart and its great vessels. The right 
lung consists of three parts or lobes, each 
of which receives a branch of the windpipe 
or bronchus, as well as a subdivision of the 
pulmonary artery and one of the pulmonary 
veins. The left lung consists of two lobes, 
similarly supplied with vessels. These lobes 
are inclosed by the ribs and their muscles at 
the sides, the breast-bone and the cartilages 
of the ribs in front, the spine or vertebral 
column behind, and the midriff or diaphragm 
below. All these surrounding structures or 
incasements combined form an air-tight 
cavity. 

The lungs, which are very elastic, can be 


Physical Development 27 

so stretched by the pressure of the inhalation 
of air, as is experienced by full and deep 
breathing, that they not only will fill every 
available space of this cavity, but will, by 
practice, increase the size of the chest or 
thorax. Around the air-cells there are nu¬ 
merous fine tubes or capillaries, and the air 
they contain is separated from the blood only 
by the exceedingly thin walls of the two struc¬ 
tures. It is here that oxygen passes into the 
blood, and carbonic acid gas escapes from the 
blood into the air-tubes of the lungs and is 
exhaled. Consequently the exhaled air con¬ 
tains less oxygen and more carbonic acid or 
nitrogen than the air inhaled. The exhaled 
air, too, is saturated with water vapor that 
is formed by evaporation from the moist 
walls of the air-tubes and cells. 

The movements of normal respiration in 
the female differ somewhat from those in the 
male. In the male the breathing capacity of 
the chest is brought about mainly by the 
action of the diaphragm or midriff, and the 
abdominal muscles, while in the female the 
breathing movements are produced chiefly by 


28 


Direct Method 


the action of the muscles or intercostals that 
connect the ribs. The former is termed the 
diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing and 
the latter the thoracic. The thoracic breath¬ 
ing or free movements of the ribs and distinct 
rising and falling of the breast-bone, is quite 
noticeable in women and is their natural way 
of breathing. Hence we notice in women 
who breathe naturally, or who practice cor¬ 
rect breathing, the charming grace and the 
full development of the upper thorax, ac¬ 
quired by the proper use of the two upper 
lobes of the lungs, which as a rule is sadly 
neglected by men. 

Man’s natural breathing is diaphragmatic 
and abdominal, the muscles of which pump 
the lungs during inspiring and expiring. This 
form, in the sense of full respiration, ought 
to be practiced by both sexes, because it not 
only assists the lungs in full breathing, but 
also massages the internal organs and glands. 
The following simple methods of full respi¬ 
ration are presented for the thoughtful con¬ 
sideration and practice of every interested 
individual: 


Physical Development 29 

To attain the full development of the 
upper lobes of the lungs, breathe evenly and 
gently, full in and full out, through the nos¬ 
trils, with the arms stretched above the head, 
and lying on the back; or when sitting, stand¬ 
ing or walking, by raising the shoulders and 
chest, which method is about as effective and 
beneficial. To benefit or develop the middle 
lobes or middle chest, expand the lower ribs 
when inhaling and draw inward when exhal¬ 
ing. However, to make this operation easier 
and simpler the midriff muscle should assist 
in the movements. To attain the full devel¬ 
opment of the lower lobes of the lungs, while 
inhaling the full breath, draw the abdominal 
muscles or abdomen inward, which at the 
same time presses downward the diaphragm 
or flat muscle, the partition that divides the 
chest cavity from the abdominal cavity; and 
in exhaling press the abdomen outward, 
which presses the diaphragm upward, thus 
expelling the air, which has mostly been 
changed into carbonic acid gas, completely 
from the lungs. 

These exercises demonstrate that full 


30 


Direct Method 


and deep breathing can be consciously di¬ 
rected to different parts or lobes of the lungs 
by means of the intercostal muscles which 
connect the ribs, the diaphragmatic muscles 
and the abdominal muscles. However, the 
easiest, simplest and most effective manner 
of fully inflating the lungs is to utilize the 
entire capacity of the five lobes, assisted sim¬ 
ultaneously by the intercostals, diaphragm 
and abdominal muscles in a gentle and steady 
manner. 

To acquire perfectly the art of correct and 
full respiration it is necessary to educate and 
develop the diaphragm into an ever-flexible 
activity. While this activity is quite natural¬ 
ly and normally performed in most individ¬ 
uals, yet great assistance may be rendered the 
diaphragm by conscious direction and manipu¬ 
lation, because the diaphragmatic double mus¬ 
cle is, with the possible exception of the great 
and ever-active heart muscle, the greatest and 
most powerful muscle of the interior trunk. 
And by making fuller use of this great twin- 
muscle, full and deep breathing will become 
a habit; it will also assist the essential func- 


Physical Development 31 

tions of the organs and glands of the abdom¬ 
inal region. 

The diaphragm consists of two portions of 
flat horizontal muscles, the upper or great 
muscle and the lower or lesser muscle. Both 
separate the thorax from the abdominal 
cavity, in forming a partition wall or floor of 
the former cavity and the roof of the latter. 
It arises from the whole of the internal cir¬ 
cumference of the thorax, being attached in 
front by fleshy fibers to the ensiform cartilage 
or sternal portion of the diaphragm, on either 
side to the inner surface of the cartilages and 
bony portions of the six or seven inferior or 
short ribs, and behind to the aponeuratic or 
tendinous arches and to the lumbar vertebra. 
The fibers from these general sources of at¬ 
tachments vary considerably in length; those 
from the cartilages of the ribs at the side of 
the chest are the longest. The diaphragm 
is arched, being convex toward the chest, 
supporting the lungs and heart, and concave 
toward the abdomen, forming an arch or 
covering for the liver, stomach, kidneys, 
spleen, etc. Deep-seated colds or coughs are 


32 


Direct Method 


often ascribed to the lower lobes of the lungs, 
or even to the stomach, when in reality they 
are more frequently situated in the diaphrag¬ 
matic muscles. 

It is obviously important, therefore, that 
each individual should become familiar with 
and learn to know definitely the location of 
the diaphragm, and to fully comprehend the 
powerful assistance which this great double 
muscle is capable of rendering in full respira¬ 
tion and internal kneading exercise of the 
abdominal organs and glands through wilful, 
consciously directed manipulation 

To study the location and action of the 
diaphragm perhaps no better method can be 
presented than to note carefully the powerful 
activity of this great functional muscle during 
the enjoyment of a hearty laugh, when simul¬ 
taneously the diaphragm alternately pounds 
the heart and lungs above and the liver, 
stomach, etc., below. For this reason, and 
truth, hearty laughter is deemed a healthful 
exhilaration, highly beneficial to the digestive 
organs, lungs and heart, particularly during 
repasts or immediately thereafter. Shaking 


Physical Development 


33 


the sides and heaving the diaphragm are nat¬ 
ural tonics which aid digestion and the assimi¬ 
lation of nutriments, and render assistance 
to the action of the heart and lungs. The 
location and action of the diaphragm may 
also be ascertained and perceived by sounding 
loud and firmly certain or all of the letters of 
the alphabet, or by imitating the bray of the 
donkey — “Hee, haw!” 

On fully conceiving the location and action 
of the diaphragm, one may readily conform 
and move this vital muscle in harmony with 
rhythmic, full and deep breathing. He will 
also be able to manipulate the diaphragm in 
the same upward and downward movements 
irrespective of regular respiration. 

That the lungs require plently of fresh air 
for the perpetuation of health is admitted by 
all. Nevertheless, very limited is the knowl¬ 
edge relating to their dry-air requirements. 
A certain quantity of dry air is absolutely 
necessary to insure a healthy condition of 
the air-cells and to guard against germinal 
growths and unnatural accretions that may 
thrive in the moist air — if overabundant — 


34 


Direct Method 


of these organs. We observe that trees in 
dense forests, submerged rocks, shells, etc., 
and the shady sides of houses and roofs, fre¬ 
quently are covered with strongly scented 
fungi or moss. This growth is caused by 
continuous darkness, cold or moisture. It 
thrives for the lack of sunshine and dry air, 
thus promoting decay of the weaker sub¬ 
stances on which it grows. 

The foregoing applies to the air-cells of 
the lungs. They need plenty of dry air — 
sun-dried and sun-heated preferred — which 
is in accord with nature’s intent. People 
living in low altitudes, adjacent to rivers and 
lakes, should look well to the heating and 
ventilating of their dwellings, particularly 
during the severe seasons. Living adjacent 
to salt water is much to be preferred to living 
near fresh-water lakes, as the salt sea mois¬ 
ture, paradoxical as it may seem, contains 
a certain dry moisture, caused by the salts or 
chemicals of the vapor arising from the sea 
waters. 

In closing this discussion of correct breath¬ 
ing it may be of benefit to refer briefly to the 


Physical Development 35 

breathing of night air. It is the writer’s 
contention that night air is favorable to 
health, as it is fresh, pure and sweet, and 
really the cleanest kind of air to breathe. It 
is a prevalent but erroneous belief that the 
night air is impure. Despite the purifying 
qualities of sun or daylight air, the stirred-up 
dust, soot, dirt, microbes, fever germs and 
insects carrying them, are laid asleep during 
the night. And this rationally accounts for 
the fact that nature has endued man with 
freer, fuller and larger breathing forces at 
night, while at rest, than the ordinary breath¬ 
ing forces while awake or during active 
hours. 

It is, therefore, not merely beneficial but 
necessary to have sleeping apartments well 
ventilated; and in practicing correct breathing 
while awake we will acquire fuller breathing 
capacity while asleep. 




Firmly applying direct muscle-force, with the Ungers 
lightly touching the head 







Applying direct nerve and muscle-force through the 
chest and diaphragm regions 








PART II 

Interior Exercise of the Abdominal Region 

A LTHOUGH diaphragmatic breathing is 
***• in itself a form of interior massage or 
kneading of the organs and glands, we shall 
presently see, however, how the process of 
interior and exterior muscular manipulation 
may be further extended and effectively ap¬ 
plied to the lower trunk region. 

The voluntary muscles, contracting in re¬ 
sponse to impulses that originate in the brain- 
cells, and readily directed through concentra¬ 
tion of will-power, may be made to assist 
not merely the voluntary muscles of the chest 
region—favoring the lungs and heart— 
during conscious full and deep respiration, 
but also are applicable to the organs and 
glands of the abdominal region, such as the 
liver, gall-bladder, spleen, stomach, intestines, 
colon, kidneys, etc. It is not the purpose, 
however, to go into anatomical detail of the 
functions of these various organs and glands, 
because they generally are well understood, 

37 


38 


Direct Method 


or may be studied in text-books that treat on 
these subjects. It is merely the desire to 
show how they can be assisted and perma¬ 
nently maintained in an active, vigorous and 
healthy state; and how to relieve and even¬ 
tually overcome inveterate ills, such as indi¬ 
gestion, billiouness, costiveness, congestion 
and imperfect blood circulation, conditions 
which more particularly affect those who lead 
inactive or sedentary lives. All these unnat¬ 
ural afflictions readily may be remedied and 
ultimately overcome by conscious, practical 
manipulation of the interior and exterior mus¬ 
cles of the abdominal walls and the powerful 
diaphragmatic or deep-breathing muscle. 

Herewith are presented the most simple 
and effective methods of muscular manipu¬ 
lation of the abdominal region, which may be 
employed in any reasonable degree: 

Draw the abdominal muscles and the lower 
thorax fully inward, finishing with a firm 
pressure and at the same time assist the 
diaphragm with its upward pressure; release. 
Then extend the abdominal walls and lower 
thorax outward to a full extent, again finish 



Stimulating the nerves by applying direct muscle-force 

lightly 






This posture shows the muscles relaxed 



Physical Development 


39 


with a firm pressure, and simultaneously 
assist the diaphragm with its downward pres¬ 
sure. Alternately continue this exercise until 
the desired effects are realized. It may be 
advisable, however, for those who are weak 
to practice this exercise gradually and inter- 
mittingly, until the muscles and vital functions 
become stronger. Moreover, full and deep 
respiration will be of great assistance. The 
muscular movements may next be directed 
alternately from side to side of the abdomen 
and also straight upward and downward, in 
each instance terminating the movement with 
a firm compressure. This vital and essential 
exercise, obtained with very little exertion, 
will invariably produce an abundance of vital¬ 
ity and promote healthy functions without any 
evil tendencies, if a sane diet and rational 
living are adhered to. 

By concentrating or intensifying the mind 
on the voluntary nervous action of the in¬ 
terior muscles this exercise may be studied 
and practiced so as to direct the process or 
manipulation to the various organs and 
glands of the thorax and abdomen, whether 


40 


Direct Method 


lying, sitting, standing or walking. With the 
results thus attained one will invariably throw 
to the winds the worthless drugs so recklessly 
taken internally, and which by degrees de¬ 
stroy the true functions of the organs and 
glands as well as impede the circulation and 
add impurities to the blood. 

These abdominal exercises, if properly 
studied, practiced and adhered to, will with¬ 
out question be a boon to the abnormally 
fat, who are so often taken in by so-called 
“Anti-Fat” cure fakes. Regarding such 
fakes the United States Department of Agri¬ 
culture has deemed it worth while to issue 
a bulletin warning the public against the use 
of nostrums for which it is claimed that they 
will promptly relieve one of a surplus of 
adipose tissue. The department insists “that 
all medical anti-fat remedies are absolutely 
worthless,” and volunteers the information 
“that there is no preparation that can be de¬ 
pended upon to reduce flesh in any marked 
degree without injury.” 

This concludes, primarily, the instructions 
for interior exercise, which indirectly will be 


Physical Development 


4i 


more fully treated in various parts of this 
work, in a sense of coalescence, by conjoining 
them with direct nerve and muscle-force — 
the principal object in view. 



Applying direct muscle-force, hand closed 







This posture shows the muscles relaxed 




PART III 
Direct Nerve-Force 

I N entering upon the discussion of the 
means and methods of generating and 
infusing the vital principle or stimulus into 
the nervous system of the human body, it 
will be necessary to examine at some length 
the origin, distribution and functions of this 
wonderful sensation-carrying network of cells 
and fibers; and also to describe the work of 
the heart and blood circulation, so that the 
student may be enabled to gain a clearer view 
and a more accurate knowledge of the instru¬ 
ments to be used in producing and controlling 
direct vital force. 

All the muscular movements of the body, 
whether voluntary or involuntary, are pro¬ 
duced, directed and regulated through the 
nervous system, having its origin in the brain- 
cells. This nervous network is made up of 
minute nerve-cells and very fine nerve-fibers. 
The former exist in the various nerve centers, 
where nerve impulses are either originated or 

43 


44 


Direct Method 


reflected; and the latter, which are united into 
bundles called nerves, are the means by which 
the impulses are conducted or signaled to the 
various parts of the body. Each nerve-fiber 
consists of a central fibril of extreme fineness, 
enclosed in a sheath with a tube of white sub¬ 
stance between them; and it terminates in a 
delicate thread which is a continuation of the 
central fibril. 

The whole system consists of two main 
parts, the cerebrospinal system, composed of 
the brain, spinal cord and the nerves issuing 
from them; and the sympathetic or ganglionic 
system, consisting of a number of little masses 
or ganglia of nerve-substance together with 
the nerves they emit. The former controls 
the movements of the voluntary muscles and 
supplies nerves to the organs’ sense; while 
the fibris of the latter are distributed to the 
involuntary muscles of the internal organs, 
including the muscular fibers in the walls of 
the blood-vessels. 

The brain itself is a soft structure, consist¬ 
ing of an external grayish portion — com¬ 
posed mainly of cells — and an inner white 


Physical Development 


45 


substance made up principally of fibers. It 
is made up of several more or less distinct 
parts, each having its own special functions 
to perform. The principal of these are the 
cerebrum or greater brain, which is the organ 
of the will and voluntary motion, and the 
seat of the sensations and of the intellect; 
the cerebellum or lesser and lower brain, 
which co-ordinates the voluntary movements. 
Both cerebrum and cerebellum have several 
folds visible on the exterior, and are divided 
by deep depressions into right and left halves 
called hemispheres. 

The oblong marrow or medulla oblongata, 
which governs the movements of respiration 
and swallowing, differs from the other parts 
of the brain in having its gray matter within 
and the white without, and it also serves as 
a conducting medium between the other parts 
of the brain and the spinal cord. 

Twelve pairs of nerves pass from the 
under surface of the brain, through holes in 
the bones of the cranium, and distribute their 
fibers to the organs of sense and other import¬ 
ant structures. They are: 


4 6 


Direct Method 


The olfactory nerves, or nerves of smell; 

The auditory nerves, or nerves of hearing; 

The optic nerves, or nerves of vision; 

The motores oculi, or movers of the eye; 

The trochlear nerves, supplying one of the 
muscles of each eye; 

The abducens nerves, supplied to the mus¬ 
cles that turn the eyeballs outward; 

The trigeminal nerves, supplying the mus¬ 
cles of the face, lower jaw and tongue; 

The facial nerves, sending fibers to the 
muscles of the face; 

The glossopharyngeal nerves, supplying 
the tongue and the pharynx or muscular 
bag; 

The pneumogastrics, supplying the larynx, 
lungs, heart, stomach and liver; 

The hypoglossal nerves, supplying the mus¬ 
cles of the tongue; 

The spinal accessories, terminating in the 
muscles of the neck. 

The spinal cord is continuous with the me¬ 
dulla oblongata through the large opening in 
the back part of the head or occipital bone, 
and like the medulla consists of external 


Physical Development 


47 


white and internal gray matter. It is enclosed 
in a canal formed by the bones of the verte¬ 
bral column, about eighteen inches long, 
extending from the brain to the first lumbar 
vertebra or joint of the spine. Its thickness 
is about the same as that of the little finger. 
Like the brain, it is surrounded by three thin 
coats or membranes called dura-mater, arach¬ 
noid and pia-mater. All are continuous with 
and similar in structure and function to the 
corresponding membranes of the brain, ex¬ 
cept the dura-mater, which, instead of being 
closely applied to the bone, forms a loose 
bag, and is surrounded by a layer of fatty 
tissues, thus shielding the white and gray 
matter during vibrations and movements of 
the spinal column. 

The substance of the spinal cord is almost 
completely divided into two lateral halves by 
posterior and anterior longitudinal depres¬ 
sions, and a very minute canal, continuous 
with cavities that exist in the middle of the 
brain, runs through the center. The spinal 
cord gives off thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves 
which pass out of the spinal canal between the 


48 


Direct Method 


arches of the vertebra and supply fibers to 
the muscles and skin of most parts of the 
body. The chief functions of these nerves 
are to convey motor impulses from the brain 
to the voluntary muscles, and sensory impres¬ 
sions from the skin to the brain. The gray 
matter of the cord also consists of a mass of 
nerve-centers that govern the involuntary 
movements of the muscles of the skeleton. 

The sympathetic nervous system consists of 
a double chain of nerve ganglia on each side 
of the vertebral column, and various other 
disconnected ganglia in other parts, together 
with the nerves that proceed from them. 
The fibers are distributed to the involuntary 
muscular fibers of the heart, stomach, liver, 
intestines, etc., and also to the walls of the 
blood-vessels; and the movements of these 
organs are produced and regulated by this 
system. 

The cerebrospinal and sympathetic sys¬ 
tems have been referred to as two distinct 
systems, yet it should be understood that the 
two are connected. Fibers from the one 
mingle with the other, often running together 


Physical Development 


49 


and forming complicated networks of inter¬ 
mingling nerves, and in a number of places 
forming bundles of nerve-centers or plexuses, 
viz.: The servical plexus, located in the 
neck; the brachial plexus, in the collar-bone 
region; the lumbar plexus, in the region of 
the loins; the sacral plexus, near the lower 
end of the spinal column; and the solar plex¬ 
us, a very vital nerve-center located back of 
the pit of the stomach in front of the thorax 
where the ribs separate. 

How the Nerves Work 

Having described the origin, construction, 
distribution and general functions of the ner¬ 
vous system of the human body, the question 
arises, How do our nerves work, and how do 
they carry impulses and messages to and from 
the brain? This is still one of the mysteries 
of physiology. The latest theory, however, 
is advanced by Professor Bottazi, of the Uni¬ 
versity of Naples, who, in a series of articles 
in Scientia, suggests that “the stimulus which 
runs from the surface of the body to the 
brain, telling its story of pain or other sensa- 


5° 


Direct Method 


tions, and that which runs from the brain to 
the muscles, directing them how to act, is 
chemical rather than electric in its nature.” 
He believes “the effect of the impulse is to 
set up in the substance of the nerve chemical 
reactions, which produce in the first entrance 
substances of an acid nature. These are 
followed by others which seem to have an 
oxidizing effect and require the presence 
either of free oxygen or of ferments contain¬ 
ing it.” He concludes that “these last oper¬ 
ate to destroy, or at any rate to modify, the 
acid substances first formed and thus restore 
the substance of the nerve to its first condi¬ 
tion, and to put it back into a state ready 
to receive and transmit a fresh impulse.” 

The Illustrated London News, comment¬ 
ing on Professor Bottazi’s exposition, says: 
“This seems a reasonable theory, and one 
which finds many analogies in other physio¬ 
logical facts.” 

While this may seem a reasonable theory 
and indicates an advancement in the study of 
physiology, whether our nerves work chem¬ 
ically or electrically still remains a mystery. 


Physical Development 51 

We may observe a fair comparison in the 
modern telephone. Herbert N. Casson, in 
the Mountain States Monitor, says: 

“The telephone business is not like any 
other business on the face of the earth. It 
is the most remarkable combination of science 
and mystery, of human and mechanical, of 
wire and wits, of highly skilled specialists 
and the general public. Any little child can 
be the engineer of a telephone talk-train. 
Any little baby can send its cooings hundreds 
of miles along the wire to its father at the 
other end. And yet, at the mystery end of 
the telephone, not even John Carty, master 
of telephone science, can explain or even com¬ 
prehend some of the phenomena of a tele¬ 
phone exchange.” 

He further says: 

“I once asked Alexander Graham Bell, 
inventor of the telephone, if he really under¬ 
stood the workings of a telephone receiver, 
and he replied: ‘Why, of course not; nobody 
does.* I also asked Mr. Emile Berliner if 
he could explain exactly what happened in a 
telephone transmitter, and he replied: ‘No, 


52 


Direct Method 


I can’t; it is as great a mystery today as it 
was thirty years ago.’ 

“Think of the marvel of it: Here is an 
intricate network of wires, disks, electric cur¬ 
rents, electric lights, keys, jacks, bells, cords 
and cables. This mechanism is so delicate 
that it is actually operated by the slightest 
sound. It is not set in motion by steam or 
gasoline but by breath. The slight vibration 
of the vocal cords is actually the power that 
puts the vast telephone mechanism in opera¬ 
tion. A telephone system is an immense and 
wide-spread mechanism of voice machinery. 
There is nothing else like it. It stands by 
itself as a marvelous thing which any one 
can use and which nobody can understand.” 

Whenever the nervous system, through ill¬ 
ness, irregularity or overstrain, falls below 
normal it fails to perform its true functions. 
Such failure will in time produce nervous 
debility, and if neglected will permanently 
impair the health. This condition is partic¬ 
ularly noticeable in those who are engaged in 
the more strenuous occupations. They are 
either not aware of the fatal consequences of 


Physical Development 


53 


neglect or they do not know how to apply the 
recuperative force that nature has supplied 
so bountifully and placed within each individ¬ 
ual. Such knowledge and power may be 
gained by attention of the mind, concentra¬ 
tion of the will and a light tensive, compres¬ 
sive exertion of the various muscles of the 
body, in any degree that may be desired. 
Every one generates and applies this great 
force or stimulus in a maximum or minimum 
degree unbeknown to himself, through bodily 
tensions or contractions during physical exer¬ 
cises, field sports or manual labor, and 
through such excitements as fighting, anger, 
surprise, joy or pleasure. Nevertheless, a 
great deal of this accumulated force or 
energy is consumed in the act of attaining it, 
frequently leaving the individual destitute of 
a normal supply of nerve and muscle-force. 

This wonderful nervous network or ner¬ 
vous system, even in its best-attuned state of 
health, suffers more or less during such dis¬ 
turbances as fatigue, injury, irregularities, 
excitement, illness or disease. These condi¬ 
tions are corrected and cured by nature’s 


54 


Direct Method 


own chemical and molecular processes of 
replenishing the cells, growing new cells in 
the impaired parts of the body, and through 
natural channels ridding the system of the 
worn-out or diseased cells. This action is 
continuous in the living being. The chem¬ 
ical and molecular process of curing, replen¬ 
ishing and nourishing is performed by the 
blood, which is propulsively forced and regu¬ 
lated through the heart by its powerful mus¬ 
cular action, propelled by the breathing 
power of the lungs, muscular action of the 
body and muscular fibers in the walls of the 
blood-vessels, to all parts of the body. 

While medication as a lenitive to some 
degree alleviates pain or fatigue, nevertheless 
it remains for nature, through its processes, 
to do the healing and reviving. Therefore, 
let nature alone. To hamper its work by 
the use of nostrums or drugs is detrimental, 
but to assist nature in its regular course of 
healing and reviving, as taught in this work, 
is beneficial and will insure vigorous health. 

Nature makes existence possible by means 
of natural bodily heat, through the blood, 


Physical Development 


55 


attained by assimilated food substances fil¬ 
tered by various organs and glands, and 
enriched and purified by the oxygen of the 
air we breathe. These nourishing sustainers 
of the blood constitute nature’s mediators or 
life-promoters. The blood, therefore, is the 
real essence of life’s promotion, which cir¬ 
culates through all parts of the body by means 
of the heart, blood-vessels and arteries, as¬ 
sisted by the lungs and the nervous and mus¬ 
cular systems of the body. 

Circulation of the Blood 

To enable the student to comprehend more 
fully the important duties of the heart, blood 
circulation and its distribution throughout the 
body, a general description of the natural 
system and its functions is herewith pre¬ 
sented : 

The blood is propelled through a system of 
blood-vessels regulated by the heart, a hollow 
muscle situated in the thorax between the 
lungs. It lies more on the left side than on 
the right, about one-fourth being to the right 
of the middle line, and three-fourths to the 


Direct Method 


56 

left. Its point rests on the diaphragm or 
midriff muscle, considerably to the left of the 
middle, and the entire organ is enclosed in 
a fibrous bag called the pericardium, a mem¬ 
brane that contains a liquor which prevents 
the surface of the heart from becoming dry 
by its continual motion. The size of the 
heart is about the same size as the closed fist 
of the male, but the heart of the female is 
about one-sixth less in size and weight than 
that of the male of the same weight of body. 

The heart is divided into right and left 
cavities by a muscular partition, and these 
cavities are further divided into upper and 
lower parts by means of valves. Thus there 
are four cavities in all, the two upper ones 
called the auricles, which receive the blood 
from the veins and communicate it to the 
lower cavities, called the ventricles, which 
propel the blood into the arteries. The 
auricles have much thinner walls than the 
ventricles, and the left ventricle has walls 
much thicker than those of the right. The 
whole organ is continuously contracting and 
expanding alternately during life. When it 


Physical Development 57 

contracts the blood it contains is forced into 
large blood-vessels, and when it dilates blood 
flows into it through other vessels. 

The direction which the blood takes is 
determined by valves, which are so construct¬ 
ed that they allow the current to flow only 
in one direction. Between the auricles and 
the ventricles there are valves which allow 
the blood to flow only from the former into 
the latter. That on the right is called the 
tricuspid valve, formed of three membranes, 
and that on the left is the bicuspid, composed 
of only two. There are also valves at the 
commencement of the large blood-vessels that 
communicate with the ventricles, but these are 
of a different form, each consisting of three 
half-moon-shaped pouches, so arranged that 
they allow the blood to pass outwards only. 

Each of the four cavities of the heart has 
its own blood-vessels, and it will be seen from 
the nature of the valves described above that 
the blood can enter the heart only by the 
vessels which lead into the auricles; and that 
after it has passed from these cavities into 


Direct Method 


58 

the ventricles it must necessarily flow out¬ 
wards when these cavities contract. 

The blood-vessels are of three kinds. 
Those which convey blood from the ventricles 
are called arteries; those which pour their 
contents into the auricles are the veins. The 
arteries divide into smaller and smaller 
branches, till at last they give rise to the 
smallest of all blood-vessels, called capillar¬ 
ies, and there unite to form the smaller veins, 
which by their union produce the larger veins. 

The circulation of the blood is of a double 
nature, one portion being termed the pulmon¬ 
ary circulation and the other the systemic. 
The former commences with the right ventri¬ 
cle, and after passing through the lungs term¬ 
inates in the left auricle. The systemic 
circulation starts from the left ventricle and 
terminates in the right auricle, after travers¬ 
ing the capillaries in all parts of the body. 
Both auricles contract together, and this 
event is immediately followed by the contrac¬ 
tion of both ventricles; thus while one portion 
of the blood is circulating through the smaller 
pulmonary course, the remainder is passing 


Physical Development 


59 


through the system generally. It will be 
more clearly understood, however, in describ¬ 
ing the two courses separately. 

When the right ventricle contracts it drives 
its contents through the short pulmonary 
trunk, which divides into the two pulmonary 
arteries. One of these conveys the blood to 
the left lung and the other to the right. The 
pulmonary arteries divide and subdivide with¬ 
in the lungs, till at last they form the small 
capillaries that surround the air-cells, and 
there the blood absorbs a supply of oxygen 
through the exceedingly thin walls of the 
vessels during inhalation, at the same time 
giving up with exhalation the carbonic acid 
gas which has accumulated during its passage 
through the general circulation of the body. 
Hence the necessity of full and deep breath¬ 
ing. 

The capillaries then unite to form small 
veins, and these again to form larger veins; 
and the blood, passing successively through 
these, finally flows into the left auricle of the 
heart by means of the two large pulmonary 
veins. The blood is of a dark purple color 


6 o 


Direct Method 


when it leaves the right ventricle but the 
exchange of gases in the capillaries of the 
lungs turns it to a bright red; and having 
been now aerated or oxygenated, it is in a 
fit condition to circulate through the system, 
called the systemic circulation. 

As soon as the blood reaches the left 
auricle it flows directly into the ventricle of 
the same side, and is then forced through the 
great or main artery trunk, called the aorta. 
This vessel arches over the base of the heart, 
giving off branches to the head and arms, and 
then descends behind the heart, between it 
and the vertebral column. In its descent it 
gives off branches to the muscles of the body, 
and to various internal organs. It penetrates 
the diaphragm, passing down the posterior 
wall of the abdomen, and then divides into 
the two large common iliac arteries, the main 
branch of which—external iliac artery— 
passes to the thigh, where it is called the fe¬ 
moral artery. This divides at the knee, and 
supplies blood to the leg and foot. 

The subclavian artery, which passes under 
the clavicle or collar-bone from the arch of 


t 



Physical Development 61 

the aorta to the arm, is distributed in a sim¬ 
ilar manner. After passing through the 
upper arm, where it is called the brachial ar¬ 
tery, and giving off several branches in its 
descent, it divides at the elbow and supplies 
blood to the forearm and hand. All the 
arteries of the system finally divide into mi¬ 
nute vessels or capillaries, in which the blood 
changes from a bright red to a purple color, 
having given up oxygen to the various tissues 
or cells and collected an equivalent quantity 
of carbonic acid gas. The capillaries then 
unite to form veins, which are often so near 
the surface of the body that the bluish color 
of the blood they contain is visible. 

The veins are larger than the correspond¬ 
ing arteries, hence the blood flows more slug¬ 
gishly through them; and their walls are also 
much thinner than those of the arteries of the 
same diameter. They generally contain nu¬ 
merous valves which allow the blood to flow 
only toward the heart, and the currents of 
blood in this direction are generally assisted 
by the pressure to which the veins are sub¬ 
jected by the movements of the various mus- 


6 2 


Direct Method 


cles, and particularly by the direct tensive and 
compressive system of vitalizing which will 
be subsequently presented. The general dis¬ 
tribution of the veins is similar to that of the 
arteries, but there are some exceptions. Thus 
the veins of the neck are arranged differently 
from the corresponding arteries that lie near 
them. 

After passing through the largest veins 
the blood enters the right auricle of the heart, 
thus completing what we have called the sys¬ 
temic or greater circulation. It then enters 
the right ventricle and again starts on its 
pulmonary circulation course. Thus the blood 
is kept perpetually in motion by the muscular 
contractions of the heart, which occur regu¬ 
larly at from about sixty-five to seventy-five 
times a minute in the adult; the rate being 
usually slightly higher in the female than in 
the male. 

The blood consists of a colorless liquid or 
plasma containing various substances in solu¬ 
tion, in which float enormous numbers of 
minute particles or corpuscles. The latter 
are of two kinds, the red and the colorless, 


Physical Development 63 

of which the first is disk-shaped and the sec¬ 
ond globular and slightly larger. The red 
corpuscles are much more numerous than the 
others. When the blood is drawn and al¬ 
lowed to stand, some of the nitrogenous mat¬ 
ter that was dissolved in it solidifies, and, 
entangling the corpuscles within its meshes, 
forms a red clot. This clot then contracts 
and a yellow fluid, the blood serum, separates 
from it. The serum contains the blood salts 
and some other matters that were originally 
contained in the plasma. 

This clotting is another wise provision of 
nature. When a cut or wound deep enough 
to injure a vein or artery is made, or even a 
common nose-bleed, the blood pours out in 
considerable quantity. When the flow lessens 
a congealing mass begins to appear; then the 
fibrum is catching the blood corpuscles and 
holding them fast, forming a semi-solid clot. 
In severe cuts or wounds the blood will spurt 
and prevent clot-forming, in which cases na¬ 
ture may need aid in the clotting process. 

Nourishing matter passes from the blood 
into the various tissues of the body, oozing 


6 4 


Direct Method 


out through the exceedingly thin walls of the 
capillaries. The quantity of blood in the 
vessels would rapidly diminish if there were 
not some means of collecting the fluid matter 
that escapes in this way and conducting it 
back to the vessels from whence it came. 
This work is accomplished by a system of 
vessels called the lymphatic and absorptive 
system. The capillaries of this system occur 
in all parts of the body where blood-vessels 
exist, and the fluid part of the blood that has 
passed into the tissues is absorbed through 
their thin walls and then conveyed into the 
lymphatic vessels. These vessels convey the 
fluid or lymph into one or the other of two 
lymphatic ducts which lead into the large 
veins at the base of the neck, one on the right 
and one on the left side. The right lym¬ 
phatic duct is the smaller of the two and col¬ 
lects the lymph only from the right side of 
the head and neck, the right arm and the 
right side of the chest. The other and larger 
one lies at the back of the thorax, and is 
known as the thoracic duct. It receives the 


Physical Development 65 

lymph from all the parts of the body with 
the exception of those named above. 

Lymphatic vessels are very numerous in the 
mucous membrane of the small intestines. 
Here they have a special function to per¬ 
form, namely the absorption of the digested 
fatty foods, and since these vessels and their 
continuations contain a milky fluid while the 
digestion of the fats is in progress, they have 
received the name of lacteals. As these ves¬ 
sels leave the intestines they are supported 
by a thin membrane or mesentery, and finally 
lead into the receptacle of the chyle or milky 
fluid, which is situated at the back of the ab¬ 
domen, and is really the enlarged extremity 
of the thoracic duct. 

The vessels of the lymphatic system com¬ 
municate with numerous lymphatic glands, 
which assist in building up the materials of 
the blood, and these readily become inflamed 
in the event of injurious substances being 
absorbed; thus various afflictions have fre¬ 
quently their origin in these glands. 

Nature, therefore, assigns to the heart the 
work required to regulate, cut off, admeasure, 


66 


Direct Method 


send and receive the blood in its two main 
wonder-courses of the body—the pulmonary 
land systemic circulations — propelled by the 
breathing capacity of the lungs, the muscular 
actions of the body and the muscular fibers in 
the walls of the blood-vessels. And through 
the thin walls of the capillaries the blood 
oozes nourishing or molecular matter into 
the tissues, building and replenishing the cells 
in all parts of the body; also collecting and 
conducting back, through the absorptive pro¬ 
cess, the fluid matter that escapes during the 
oozing or nourishing process. These are not 
only the means and methods of sustaining the 
body, they are also nature’s channels and 
processes of healing and repairing. 

Nature’s Way of Repairing 

That nature does the healing and rebuild¬ 
ing of tissues through the blood and its chan¬ 
nels and processes of permeation, is now 
quite generally believed. The Literary Di¬ 
gest, under date of September 26, 1914, said: 

“The most advanced students of medical 
science have always maintained that among 


Physical Development 67 

the mechanisms of the human body were 
devices for setting it right when it fell out 
of order. They have regarded human 
therapeutics as methods for letting nature 
alone, for beating back the agencies that 
might interfere with it, and for reinforcing 
its acts, if possible. Our ability to do this 
has been greatly increased by the discoveries 
and inventions of the eminent German 
physiologist Abderhalden. According to 
Abderhalden, the animal organism auto¬ 
matically finds out what ails it and proceeds 
to apply the remedy. He has studied 
nature’s processes and enabled us to under¬ 
stand what it is doing and to help it. In 
reading nature’s diagnosis by examination 
of the patient’s blood, the method has been 
particularly successful, and it seems likely to 
add to our ability to combat not one disease, 
but a great variety of different maladies. 

“Says a writer in The Scientific American 
Supplement (New York, August 22, 1914) • 
‘Every organ of the animal organism has its 
own particular function; in order to carry out 
this function properly, it is provided with 


68 


Direct Method 


a chemical and molecular constitution of its 
own. The liver-cells, whose functions differ 
entirely from those of the lung-cells, are 
also constructed chemically on quite a differ¬ 
ent basis. But the blood must always 
remain homogeneous or similar in material, 
if it is to fulfill its life-preserving task. 
Therefore, the different organs must pass on 
to the blood the dead cells, used up by the 
process of life, and their own products of 
assimilation and disassimilation in a chemi¬ 
cally homogeneous form. To do so, every 
organ performs extremely complicated 
chemical decomposition, each according to 
its peculiar system. 

“ ‘If any one organ gets out of order, 
such disarrangement seems to affect first of 
all this process of decomposition. Parts of 
insufficiently decomposed cells or imperfectly 
decomposed products of the assimilation 
and disassimilation enter the blood and dis¬ 
turb or even menace its functions. The 
organism at once sets about to produce 
protective ferments capable of finally decom¬ 
posing the cell-constituents of the diseased 


Physical Development 69 

organ, “digesting” them, and thus render¬ 
ing them innocuous.’ 

“It is the great, the undying merit of 
Abderhalden to have discovered the forma¬ 
tion of these protective ferments, and his 
merit is the greater because his discovery 
was not an accident, but the result of many 
years of serious and painstaking research. 

“The discovery made by Abderhalden 
proves that the organism diagnoses its own 
illness automatically. It remains for us to 
learn to understand its language. And this 
diagnosis has the enormous advantage of 
being infinitely more exact, more rapid and 
more certain than all that human art can 
ever attain. 

“Each organ contains special ferments 
within its cells, the writer goes on to tell us. 
These are attuned to the particular cell- 
substance of the organ, and show indiffer¬ 
ence toward the cells of other organs. 
Under normal conditions these cell-ferments 
are found only within the cell itself, but as 
soon as there appears in the blood a foreign 
substance still showing the ‘cell character* 


?o 


Direct Method 


istics/ the corresponding ferment also ap¬ 
pears in the blood as a protective, often only 
a few hours after the first disturbance in the 
function of the organ. To quote further: 
‘These ferments are, as has been said 
already, extremely characteristic in their 
effects, decomposing only the cell-parts of 
the organ to which they belong. There¬ 
fore, by the methods of Abderhalden, we 
have the possibility of diagnosing organic 
disorders at their very first stage, and this, 
as shown by experiments with chemical sub¬ 
stances, very often after only a few days 
or even hours, while under ordinary circum¬ 
stances, weeks and months, even years, may 
elapse before the effects of the disorder have 
grown to the proportion of pathological 
symptoms. 

“ ‘One must know, however, the difficul¬ 
ties that beset the timely and correct 
diagnosis of disturbances of the internal 
organs, more especially when it is a case of 
functional disturbance as yet not showing 
any alterations of the respective organ itself, 


Physical Development 71 

to be able to appreciate the importance of 
this discovery for the curing of disease. 

u ‘This importance accounts for the fact 
that medical authorities of universal repute 
have felt it their duty to draw particular 
attention to this discovery. Should the 
experiments that are being conducted in all 
the great centers of Europe prove the theory 
of Professor Abderhalden to be universally 
valid, based as it is already on a great 
number of definite facts and experimental 
results, then medical science enters upon a 
new epoch and the name of the German 
scientist Abderhalden will have its indelible 
place in the golden book of humanity’s 
greatest men.’ ” 

At this point it may be both interesting 
and profitable to refer to natural and arti¬ 
ficial light and heat treatments, now in 
frequent use. The best exterior natural 
agents for assisting nature in subduing and 
overcoming disease are sun-light and sun- 
heat, if directly applied to the affected parts 
of the body, as strong rays have a tendency 
to destroy certain germs, and the heat acts 


72 


Direct Method 


as a stimulant producing perspiration, which 
expels waste matter. Ideal as such treat¬ 
ments or applications may seem, they are 
inconvenient and not altogether reliable, as 
the sun rays are not always strong enough 
nor available just when they are needed. 

The next best means are artificial electric 
lamps or specially designed and constructed 
apparatus that form an enclosure, the 
interior of which is provided with radiant 
electric lights and reflecting mirrors. The 
latter is used quite extensively and with bene¬ 
ficial results in assisting nature in overcoming 
certain diseases and evil tendencies. 

A new form of lamp, especially built for 
light-bath has been invented. It is called 
leucodescent. It generates intense heat, 
and by means of a special reflector projects 
the rays in parallel and crossing lines to a 
large area instead of focusing them on a 
single point. 

Dr. William Benham Snow summarizes 
the physiological effects of light and heat in 
a long list of conditions, the most important 
of which are: 


Physical Development 


73 


“Light and heat induce increased local 
activity of elimination and tissue building; 
the general diffusion of heat through the 
body causes increased perspiration; increased 
oxidation is produced by the action of 
radiant light upon the blood in the dilated 
capillaries; the ends of the nerves are stimu¬ 
lated and they carry the stimulation back 
to the remote spinal centers. Inflammation, 
unaccompanied by infection, is relieved by 
the relaxation of the tissues and by the 
general effects already described. When 
there is infection, light and heat increases 
the blood supply to the affected part and 
increases the number of leucocytes and 
phagocites in the blood, nature’s agents. 
As these are the corpuscles that destroy the 
invading germs and heal the wound, this is 
very important. The heat and light also 
assist in checking the activity of the infesting 
germs, and stimulate the elimination of 
poisons.” 

But success in all these light and heat 
treatments depends upon accurate knowledge 
and careful observance of the technique and 


74 


Direct Method 


of the condition of the patient, as well as 
being administered by a competent physician. 

Electric current, however, if directly 
applied to the body, is in most cases detri¬ 
mental and dangerous, particularly to the 
nervous system. Even if the patient can 
endure it for a time, or at intervals—no 
matter how lightly or mildly the current is 
applied—it is nevertheless deadly and has 
a tendency to destroy, as the electric current 
does not harmonize with the nervous system. 

As a further preliminary to a full treat¬ 
ment of our subject—how to assist nature 
to infuse, direct, nerve-force into the muscles, 
nerves, blood, organs, glands and general 
functions of the body—let us note how the 
animal kingdom meets emergencies requir¬ 
ing extra exertions of strength; how animals 
provide themselves with surplus energy and 
power before and during strenuous combats 
or struggles. If we are fortunate enough 
to observe such events, we may observe in 
the lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, or any of the 
cat genus, when in a poise to attack their 
enemies or to seize their prey, that their 


Physical Development 75 

entire bodies are aroused in an alert and 
rigid or tense readiness, thus electrifying, 
infusing and stimulating their nervous and 
muscular systems to the fullest possible 
degree of strength before the assault. This 
also is true of the bear family, the horned- 
beast family, and to a great extent of all 
animals, birds, fish and insects of a ferocious 
or fighting nature. 

It should not be inferred from the fore¬ 
going that the method employed by the brute 
creation is the one intended for the human 
family, as there is an abundance of brute- 
force to be found in the average individual. 
It is merely illustrative of what animation 
or vitalization means, and may serve as an 
object lesson. 

Nerve Force: How Generated 

Having familiarized ourselves with the 
functions of the nervous system, blood circu¬ 
lation, heart, lungs, etc., which are directly 
affected by our system of assisting nature 
in the direct vitalizing process, we will now 


Direct Method 


7 6 

undertake to show how the direct means 
and methods we advocate may be applied. 

In beginning, however, the student should 
fully realize the importance of the influence 
and control which the mind has over the 
body, an acknowledged fact which can not 
be too strongly emphasized. It is through 
the intellect, direct or indirect, voluntary or 
involuntary, that we manage our mortal 
functionary organism. Thus the subjective 
body, directed by a sound mind, performs 
the healthy and orderly functions ordained 
by nature, and as regular as the tides; 
whereas, the body will become ill if the 
functions are directed by the abnormal mind 
and self-pity. 

All sorts of anxieties, fears and morbid 
impulses, accompanied by physical symptoms, 
have their origin primarily in the mind. 
They only can be overcome by casting them 
out of the consciousness, and, by the use 
of reason and will-power, substituting there¬ 
for thoughts overflowing with health and 
confidence. In other words, fearless in all 
matters pertaining to the body and our mun- 


Physical Development 


77 


dane undertakings, regardless of ultimate 
results. This temporal life is a perpetual 
struggle for existence at its best. Why, 
then, should we worry, fear, fret and waste 
our time morbidly? Worry and fear are 
curses that mankind needlessly but persist¬ 
ently propagate, and from which few are 
exempt. “After these things the word of 
the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, say¬ 
ing: Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and 
thy exceeding great reward.”—Gen. xv, I. 
These words are as applicable today as they 
were in Abram’s time, and it behooves us 
to adhere to them. 

The will is an important factor of the 
mind, and if properly exerted will greatly 
assist in the development of muscular and 
nervous activity. Its judicious exercise is of 
the utmost importance in assisting nature in 
the process of infusing vital stimulus 
throughout the functions of the body. 

By concentration and volition, directed 
with a sense of pressure upon certain volun¬ 
tary muscles, we can actually and accurately 
cause to flow the essence of animation or 


78 


Direct Method 


the stimulus of vitality, through the entire 
nervous system. This operation causes an 
oozing activity in the organic cells, fibers 
and functions of the body, resulting in 
expression, stimulation and development. 
Nature is thus assisted, by the heat gener¬ 
ated, in burning and expelling the wornout 
cells of the tissues and creating and rebuild¬ 
ing new cells in their stead. 

Assuming that the student fully appre¬ 
ciates the influence and power of the mind 
over the action of the body, we will now 
present for consideration, test and practice 
the most simple yet superior means of infus¬ 
ing the essence of vitality into the nervous 
systems and functions of the body. 

As the consciousness of the wonderful 
forces at work during the act of infusing is 
apt to enthuse the beginner, he should be 
constantly alert, and always keep in mind 
that full and deep respiration are necessary 
to fully obtain beneficial results. To be 
master of oneself is man’s great achievement, 
and to him who has conquered, success will 





Natural 


posture, muscles relaxed 








Application of direct muscle-force 











Physical Development 79 

come in all pertaining to life, health and 
prosperity. 

With the attention concentrated on the 
muscular control of the body, so as to be 
able to exert the power of tensing the muscles 
in contraction or compression, the beginner 
should stand erect and clasp one hand in the 
other, palms facing, with one thumb over 
the other. Then take a firm hold or grip, 
so as to produce a compression. This will 
cause a thrill or current to go up through 
the arms, thence through the shoulders, just 
as if a valve or vent were opened and an 
oozing something flowed forth. Now, by 
concentration and will-power, force this 
current through the back or spine, through 
the hips and down through the legs, termi¬ 
nating in the feet. This is accomplished by 
a moderate exertion of tensing and compress¬ 
ing. Upon the full realization of this oozing 
thrill or current, beginning from the gripped 
hands and terminating in the soles of the 
feet, the student will have learned the first 
principle of his lesson—the act of compres¬ 
sion of the muscles. 


8o 


Direct Method 


Having mastered the art of compression 
of the muscles, again start with the firm grip 
of the hands and by concentration direct the 
thrill or current this time to the front of the 
body, through the thorax, abdomen and 
legs, and terminating in the feet and toes as 
before. After conscientious practice of the 
second operation, the student will have 
learned the secret of infusing animated vital- 
flow through the nervous system by the 
power of concentration and by the means of 
tense contractive and compressive actions of 
the muscles. He will also observe a decided 
increase in and freer circulation of the 
blood. 

Comprehending the full significance of the 
vitalizing process, the student may now 
proceed to infuse the vital stimulus into 
certain objective parts of the body, such as 
the great nerve-centers or plexuses. This, 
however, may be somewhat more difficult 
for the beginner, but he can do it. Especially 
is this true of the greatest of nerve-centers— 
the sun or solar plexus—located in the region 
back of the pit of the stomach in front of the 


Physical Development 8i 

thorax, below where the ribs separate. This 
vital spot or bundle of nerves is very 
sensitive, and a severe blow struck over it 
may prove fatal. This plexus controls 
chiefly the vital organs and glands of the 
thorax and abdominal regions and directly 
or indirectly the entire body; and it directly 
controls all other plexuses or nerve-centers. 
It may be compared to a main telephone 
exchange and its sub-exchanges, through 
which mediums sub-service is rendered. 
Telephone messages are transmitted from 
one sub-exchange through another sub¬ 
exchange in reaching the desired sub-ex¬ 
change’s destination, without the necessity of 
calling or bringing into service the main 
exchange; this however, depends on the 
locality where the service is to be rendered. 
This illustrates the nervous functions of the 
solar or main plexus in its intercommunica¬ 
tion with the sub or lesser plexuses, and 
vice versa, and from one sub-plexus to or 
through another sub-plexus. 

We may, therefore, rightfully and prop¬ 
erly term this great center of vital energy 


82 


Direct Method 


called the solar plexus the main exchange of 
the nervous system, because it is of foremost 
importance to the general performance of 
the functions of the body. It is also of 
greatest importance in the direct vitalizing 
process that we are now considering. It 
is indeed strange how little attention the 
human family gives to this vital center. If 
is the principal seat of the nervous energy 
and stimulus, and also the principal seat of 
nervous derangements and disturbances, 
which usually cause or accompany all the 
disorders and ills to which the body is heir. 

To more readily master the method of 
infusing or animating the solar plexus, recall 
and profit by the instruction on full and deep 
breathing and interior exercise, which mater¬ 
ially will aid in its accomplishment. Now 
fix the mental faculties in concentration 
on the object in view. Then tense and con¬ 
tract the muscles in the region of the solar 
plexus or pit of the stomach, assisting by 
very slow and deep breathing, and at the 
same time and pace by inward and outward 
movements, each movement terminating with 


t 


Physical Development 83 

a firm diaphragmatic or muscular pressure. 
It is well to hold each terminating com¬ 
pression a few seconds, thus creating and 
propelling the vital current. This operation 
should be practiced earnestly and firmly, so 
as to create specific activity in this bundle 
of nerves, and it should be adhered to in 
the following lessons. 

Even more effective and more convenient 
is another method: Direct the mental 
powers to the center as before. With the 
muscles tense, firmly contract inward and 
firmly compress downward. Hold this com¬ 
bined action and tension from five to ten 
seconds; then release the tension for a few 
seconds and repeat the process as often as 
may be desired. 

The operation should now be reversed, 
which is even more effective, as it directly 
controls the upper part of the solar center. 
This method is the same in every detail as 
the previous one, excepting the change from 
the downward pressure to an upward firm 
and tensive compression. 

Next in order is bringing into action and 


84 


Direct Method 


practice the sides of the solar plexus. This 
is accomplished by means of a sidewise firm 
and tensive compression—to either side 
alternately—instead of the downward, up¬ 
ward and centralized methods; otherwise 
in every detail the same. 

Although the frequent and full inflation 
of the lungs is necessary during these exer¬ 
cises, nevertheless the breathing powers 
during these particular muscular exertions in 
the regions of the solar plexus are to a 
certain degree curtailed, due to the rigidity 
and tensibility of the muscular contractions 
in the regions of the thorax and abdomen. 
With the assistance of the powerful midriff 
or diaphragmatic muscle it is possible to 
vitalize the solar plexus thoroughly and 
completely. 

With intermissions at intervals during 
practice, full breathing should be employed, 
as the lessening of respiration has a tendency 
to close the pores of the body, thus hinder¬ 
ing the promotion of vital stimulus. In 
this connection it may be well to note a fact 


Physical Development 85 

knowledge of which is very limited, or at 
least generally disregarded: 

As the stopping of breathing has a ten¬ 
dency to close the pores, this truth deserves 
further attention because of its usefulness 
in emergencies. Although benevolent nature 
of her own accord protects the body to 
some degree during sudden emergencies, 
nevertheless we are endowed with the means 
to assist her further. For instance, a 
person will, by force or impulse of nature, 
stop breathing when stepping from a heated 
room into an extremely cold atmosphere, or 
on plunging into water of a low tempera¬ 
ture. This is nature’s means of closing 
the pores, thus permitting the surface of the 
body to close and cool before the cold air 
or cold water have an opportunity to pene¬ 
trate the body until it becomes fortified. 
On entering a cold atmosphere or cold water, 
when the body is at a high temperature, 
hold the breath for a moment—possible five 
to eight seconds, according to the severity 
of the temperature. By this action one will 
be able to avert colds. 


86 


Direct Method 


The methods of infusing vital animation 
into the solar plexus are by no means limited 
to the foregoing instructions. Explicit and 
effective as they are, the student can 
improve on them. He may by study and 
practice further the vital process in connec¬ 
tion with the subsidiary centers or plexuses, 
which in turn affect the nervous system of 
the principal organs and glands of the 
thorax and abdominal region, as well as the 
organs of the senses. 

To infuse the vital stimulus into the 
nerves of the organs of the senses and the 
fatigued brain-cells, it is necessary to direct 
the mental faculties and the tensive corn- 
pressure to the cervical plexus, located in 
the neck, and the brachial plexus, located 
in the collar-bone region. This particular 
tensive compression of the muscles of the 
neck and collar-bone region is very effective 
and beneficial. The process may be assisted 
by laying the hands firmly on various places 
on the head, particularly on the lower back 
of the head and neck. If the process is 
properly applied, it will produce a soothing 


Physical Development 


87 


and stimulating effect on the nervous 
functions and blood circulation of the organs 
of sense. 

Next treat in the same manner the lumbar 
plexus, located in the region of the loins 
between the hip-bones, the seat of many 
nervous disorders. 

Treat in the same manner the sacral 
plexus and its functions, located in the region 
near the lower end of the spinal column. 
To gain the best results in vitalizing specific 
parts or centers, direct the vital current 
from the main nerve-center—the solar 
plexus—into the desired part or subcenter. 

Having gained complete command of the 
methods and processes involved in the fore¬ 
going lessons, the student may now at will 
directly infuse vigor into the nervous system 
and the blood circulation in any part of the 
body. Whether standing, walking, sitting 
or lying down, hands folded or not folded, 
will make no material difference when one 
has learned how to promote this gentle and 
pleasurable flow of nerve-force. 

In traveling, by land or sea, the exercise 


88 


Direct Method 


of direct nerve and muscle-force may be 
practiced to the fullest extent with excellent 
results. Railroad cars, steamships, street 
cars, motor cars and other conveyances 
produce vibrations which materially assist 
in gaining the desired effects; provided, 
however, one is properly seated, with feet 
fixed firmly on a foot-rest or floor. Thus 
the traveler will derive a double benefaction. 
This is a real system, which may be culti¬ 
vated to produce a crop of rich rewards. 

Constantly bear in mind that these forces 
must be administered and manipulated from 
within oneself. No outside assistance can 
be invoked to produce the desired results. 
It may be confidently asserted that if these 
rules were generally known and diligently 
practiced, mankind would readily overcome 
most of the prevailing nervous disorders, 
being thereby enabled to maintain permanent 
health, strength and buoyancy. 

In proof of the instant readiness and 
simplicity in applying this direct system, the 
author can bring this vital process into play 
at any moment he chooses, with none but 


Physical Development 89 

the best results, and he considers the opera¬ 
tion neither strenuous nor monotonous. On 
the contrary it is a pleasurable, stimulating 
and invigorating exercise. 

On terminating practice of the direct 
process, one will always be endued with 
greater nerve-force than at the beginning, 
and by diligent and conscientious practice 
at intervals the process will become a so- 
called second nature. Furthermore, one is 
enabled to receive the fullest benefit in the 
practice, inasmuch as it is an individual 
method wherein there absolutely can not be 
any loss of vitality or energy. 

This entire treatise rests on fundamental 
principles and natural laws. The methods 
advocated are to some extent practiced by 
every one, but as a rule they are applied 
unconsciously. Abundant and unbounded 
as the vital stimulus is in each one, it is 
permitted to lie dormant in a majority of 
the race, which neglect results in deranged 
bodily functions and declining health. 

To illustrate the working of nature, and 
the fundamental principle involved, we may 


9° 


Direct Method 


observe the healthy Infant writhe, twist or 
tense its little body, and perhaps follow this 
activity with whipping its arms and hands 
and kicking its legs, conjoining this 
vivaciousness either with bubbling joy or 
with a hearty lung-inflating, lung-develop¬ 
ing cry. And all these tensive and 
strenuous exertions for what purpose? To 
promote and quicken vitality, for the growth 
and development of the body and the unfold- 
ment of the mind of the infant. 

The same vitality producing movements 
are observed in healthy children at play, 
boisterously romping and exercising with 
whatever their little minds can conceive, 
never stopping until exhausted, and all for 
the same purpose as the infant. 

Similar energy is expressed in healthy 
young men and women; they are full of life, 
activity, industry, alacrity and buoyancy. 
The period of maturity, and even of 
advanced age, should express equal activity 
and vitality. It would, too, if the principles 
of direct nerve-force were consistently 
applied. 


Physical Development 91 

For purposes of comparison, society may 
be divided into two classes, active and seden¬ 
tary. The active class usually maintains 
normal vitality by means of manual labor or 
healthful exercise, and by regularity of 
habits and sane living. The sedentary 
class—whether from choice or necessity— 
from the nature of its occupation and its 
mode of living, is retarded physically and 
needs the assistance of direct nerve-force to 
maintain normal health. 

Physical work or exercise can not be 
endured, even in a moderate degree, by the 
extremely weak and feeble members of 
society. It is such cases that will be 
especially benefited by the simple yet effec¬ 
tive system taught in these pages. However, 
to the weak and the strong, the young and 
the old of both sexes, a conscientious practice 
of the direct process will prove a benefac¬ 
tion which can be secured in no other way. 

In conclusion attention is called to another 
fact, which furnishes convincing proof of 
nature’s method of fortifying the human 
body: A healthy person on awakening 


92 


Direct Method 


from a night’s rest invariably will indulge 
in a strenuous tensive and compulsive 
stretching of the body. And why? Therein 
lies nature’s secret of infusing and quicken¬ 
ing the functions, mentally and physically, to 
an immediate state of readiness for the 
activities of the day. 



Applying direct muscle-foree-firmly with the right and 
lightly with the left arm-finger-tips merely touching 
the shoulders 



Applying direct muscle-force lightly, stimulating the 


nerves 












Direct muscle force 



Direct muscle force 












PART IV 
Direct Muscle-Force 

TT is a characteristic of nearly every 
healthy boy, youth, young man and 
mature man, to pride himself on his 

muscular development and strength. This 
is also true of many members of the gentler 
sex. On every hand we hear of wonderful 
feats achieved by means of superior muscle- 
power. Men advanced in years dilate on 
their former muscular prowess. They 

fondly refer to by-and-gone wrestling con¬ 
tests, and declare how easily they threw 
Smith! And when it came to fistic 

encounters, how they knocked Jones out or 
off his feet in a jiffy. Seldom or never does 
one allude to the time or place where he 
himself was whipped or defeated. Very 

well! Perhaps we were all conquerors 
in our youthful exploits of strength and 
endurance, or possibly the defeated ones did 
not survive to tell the true tale. Be that 
as it may, the pride with which we regard 

93 


94 


Direct Method 


our physical development and muscular 
strength is rather to be commended than 
condemned. 

From the standpoint of physical develop¬ 
ment and health, the children reared in the 
rural districts, particularly on the farms, 
are more fortunate than their brothers and 
sisters of the crowded cities. Great progress 
has been made in the cities and towns of the 
country, however, within the past few years, 
in physical education and training. Until 
quite recently, isolated schools, colleges, 
associations and clubs supplied the rudiments 
of such a course, necessarily in rather an 
exclusive manner; but today a change for 
the better is apparent. A nation-wide move¬ 
ment is in progress, directed toward the 
bodily development and health of the masses, 
which will inevitably result in improved 
mental, moral and economic conditions. 
And while this movement has reached as 
yet only a small percentage of those for 
whom it is intended, an awakening of the 
physical conscience (if we may use that 
term) of the people is apparent. 


t 


Physical Development 


95 


The call of outdoor life for recreation is 
becoming almost irresistible. More and 
more are field athletics, hunting, fishing, etc., 
resorted to during vacation-time, and fortu¬ 
nate indeed are those who have the oppor¬ 
tunity of spending such seasonable outings 
in the enjoyment of these divertisements. 
It is undoubtedly true that physical training, 
field sports and other outdoor exercises, as 
a substitute for leisure, indolence and ques¬ 
tionable indoor amusements, offset in a 
marked degree the vicious influences of the 
saloon and its associated evils. In fact, 
scientific physical training tends to minimize 
the social evils of urban life. 

Great progress in physical education and 
training is being made in the public schools 
and playfields, where the child is directly 
reached in the physical culture departments 
with their modern apparatus. These early 
opportunities for the attainment of health 
and vigor, together with proper moral in¬ 
struction, are of the greatest importance 
to the youth of the country, and in time 
will materially affect the general welfare. 


96 


Direct Method 


Wherefore, looking to the future, every 
father, mother and city councilman should 
most heartily support these municipal en¬ 
deavors for the uplift of the race. 

Probably the most healthful of vocations 
is farming. The art of agriculture is rapidly 
developing scientific methods and processes, 
in which the United States Department of 
Agriculture and the experimental stations 
under governmental supervision render the 
farmer ready information and assistance. 
Through the governmental reserve banks he 
is supplied with funds, when needed, for 
moving his crops to market. Under the 
Hollis-Moss rural-credits law funds for 
improving farms are available at low rates 
of interest and long terms. Notwithstand¬ 
ing the assistance rendered by the federal 
and state governments, to succeed the farmer 
must be active and vigilant. And when suc¬ 
cessful—with modern equipments and con¬ 
veniences, such as labor-saving machinery, 
implements, automobiles, telephones, parcel 
post and daily mail delivery—he is not only 


Physical Development 97 

well fixed materially, but he is also well 
posted. 

Knowledge of the advantages of present- 
day farm life is doubtless responsible for 
the rapidly growing “back-to-the-farm” senti¬ 
ment. Many believe, and with reason, that 
the time has arrived when the thoughtful, 
sturdy and progressive young men and 
women of the United States should more 
generally acquire the farms of the country. 
“He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied 
with bread, but he that followeth vain 
persons is void of understanding.”—Prov¬ 
erbs xii, 11. 

The back-to-the-farm movement may also 
tend to curtail the production of doctors, 
lawyers, ministers, etc. Over-production 
in the professions works a severe hardship 
on the people as a whole. Professional 
men have to live, and most of them seem to 
require a liberal living. If this can not be 
obtained legitimately, resort is often had 
to irregular or even criminal means of 
obtaining it. In line with the foregoing, 
Vice-President Thomas R. Marshall, in an 


Direct Method 


98 

address at Mooseheart, Ill., gave his ideas 
on vocations. He said in part: 

“Too many persons who see the sign ‘P. 
C.’ in the heavens think it means ‘preach 
Christ/ when it means ‘plow corn.’ ” He 
continued: “Out of the superior educational 
advantages of today one unhappy corollary 
has developed. A vast army of persons 
whose labors would make for industrial 
advancement of the nation have conceived 
themselves fitted for fancied nobler pursuits, 
and thus the progress they would have made 
in the work they are fitted for is lost.” 

While the preceding digression is not 
immediately connected with the method of 
acquiring direct muscle-force, it is believed 
that the suggestions will be helpful and 
possibly assist in the improvement of social 
conditions. 

Agility and strength are obtained by 
reasonable physical exercises, various 
methods or systems of which are in vogue 
today. All men and women, young or old, 
who are not afflicted with so-called incurable 
diseases, may become strong and healthy, if 


Physical Development 


99 


they possess the inclination and the will¬ 
power. It is regrettable, however, that in 
the present-day hurried and strenuous life 
the majority of men and women are too self- 
indulgent and too self-neglecting in the care 
of the body. They eat and drink too 
liberally, while sleep is taken irregularly— 
either too little or too much. Moderation 
in these requirements, together with work 
and exercise, judiciously indulged, will 
promote the development of muscular per¬ 
fection and assure mental and physical vigor. 

There are two methods by which nature 
is assisted in developing muscle-force, the 
indirect and the direct. They are separate 
and distinct processes and are very little 
understood, especially the direct method, 
which further on will be fully treated. 

The indirect method, which is generally 
taught and practiced, is where the individual 
goes through manual work or exercise, with¬ 
out mental attention to the muscles or sets 
of muscles that are to be developed. This 
method frequently overexerts certain muscles 


> >, 


ioo Direct Method 

and functions to the detriment of the interior 
body. 

The direct method of muscle-building is 
where the individual during manual work 
or exercise fixes his attention specifically on 
the muscles or sets of muscles to be benefited 
and developed; or, in other words, where 
direct muscle-force is applied by mentally 
directed tensive compression, as will be 
presented following the description of the 
muscles and their functions. 

The Muscles and Their Functions 

Beneath the skin there are masses of flesh 
of various forms and sizes which are con¬ 
nected with the bones of the skeleton. 
These are the muscles by which the movable 
bones and the body itself are set in motion. 

Each of the muscles is a mass of con¬ 
tractile fibers, bound together with a delicate 
membrane, and the whole is enclosed in a 
strong shining sheath. They are usually of 
a reddish color, due to the rich supply of 
blood which they contain, and they are also 
well supplied with nerves to control their 



This posture shows the muscles relaxed 





Applying direct muscle-force intermittingly 






Physical Development 


ioi 


movements. Muscles are usually connected 
with the bones by means of very strong 
bands of fibrous matter called tendons or 
sinews, those at one end being generally 
attached to a fixed bone, while at the other 
end they unite with a movable bone. When 
the fibers contract, the muscles become 
shorter and also thicker and firmer or 
harder; and thus the movable bones are 
brought into a new position. Muscular 
movements are either voluntary or involun¬ 
tary, the former being brought about by 
the power of the will, while the latter are 
produced quite independently of that power, 
and are rather subconsciously performed. 
In either case it is necessary that an impulse, 
originating in the brain or other nerve- 
centers be sent through a nerve, the fibers 
of which terminate in the fibers of the muscle 
to be moved. The muscles that are attached 
to the bones of the skeleton may all be 
moved by the will, although they are 
frequently made to contract by impulses that 
act quite independently of this power of the 
will. Such muscles are termed voluntary 


102 


Direct Method 


muscles, and they contract in response 
to impulses that originate in the brain, being 
supplied with nerves that proceed direct 
from this portion of the nervous system. 

The various internal organs and glands 
contain muscular fibers that cannot be con¬ 
trolled by the will, but are governed sub¬ 
consciously by nerve-centers that act quite 
independently of the will. Such fibers are 
involuntary, and are concerned in the produc¬ 
tion of the movements of internal organs, 
such as the beating of the heart, the churn¬ 
ing motions of the stomach and the wormlike 
movements of the walls of the intestines. 

Muscles may be classified according to 
the functions they perform. Thus they are: 

The flexor or bending muscles, which bend 
the limbs, such as those which pull the fore¬ 
arm toward the shoulder; 

The extensor muscles that straighten or 
extend a bent limb or bent finger; 

Adductor muscles that draw two parts 
together, as those which bring the upper arm 
close to the trunk, or which pull one thigh¬ 
bone toward the other; 


Physical Development 103 

Withdrawing muscles that pull one part 
from another; 

Rotating muscles which cause one bone 
to rotate on another, such as those that turn 
the head on the vertebral column, or that 
cause the radius or exterior bone of the fore¬ 
arm to rotate round the ulna or larger bone 
of the forearm, which forms the point of the 
elbow; 

The circular muscles which surround 
openings, and reduce or close those open¬ 
ings when they contract, as the muscular 
rings around the mouth, the eyes, etc. 

The Muscles of the Head 

The muscles of the cranium or skull are 
thin, sheetlike muscles that cover the surface 
of the cranium, the fibers at one end being 
attached to the bone, while those of the 
other terminate in the scalp. The principal 
of these are: The frontal muscle of the 
forehead; the occipital muscle of the back 
part of the head; the superior muscle of the 
ear; the muscles of the face, including those 
which belong to the nose, the mouth and the 


104 Direct Method 

cheeks; the more powerful muscles that 
are employed in the mastication of food; 
the muscles of the eye, some of which move 
the eyelids, others being concerned in the 
motions of the ball of the eye. 

THE MUSCLES OF THE BODY 
The Neck Muscles 

These include a number of muscles that 
pass from various parts of the head to the 
vertebra of the neck, the shoulder girdle and 
the top of the breast-bone. One of these, 
the sternoid mastoid, passing from behind 
the ear to the top of the sternum or breast¬ 
bone, is especially powerful. If this muscle 
contracts on one side only it causes the head 
to incline to that side, but when both sides 
contract together the head remains firmly 
fixed. Their chief use is to support the 
head. 

The Muscles of the Back 
Some of these serve to keep the back erect, 
while others, passing from the vertebra to 
the shoulder, pull the latter backward; and 
others again raise and depress the ribs. 


Physical Development 105 

The Muscles of the Breast 

Powerful muscles pass from the sternum 
to the shoulder, and serve to pull the arms 
toward the front. Other muscles of the 
breast connect the ribs, and raise and depress 
them alternately, thus assisting respiration. 
Some muscles serve not only as motors, but 
also form the boundaries of the cavities of 
the walls of the chest, and also cause move¬ 
ments necessary for respiration. At the 
bottom of this same cavity there is a 
muscular partition, called the diaphragm or 
midriff muscle; reference has been made 
elsewhere to its powerful functions. The 
diaphragm performs a double function. It 
forms a complete partition between the chest 
and the abdomen, and at the same time acts 
in unison with the intercostals or muscles 
lying between the ribs, in producing the 
movements of respiration. It is a dome¬ 
shaped sheet of muscle, the edges of which 
are united to the lower ribs, the breast-bone 
and the vertebral column. When its own 
fibers contract it becomes less arched in 
form, thus making the chest deeper; and this 


io 6 Direct Method 

movement, combined with raising of the ribs 
which takes place at the same time, causes 
air to be inhaled into the lungs. When this 
inspiratory movement is over, the muscles 
that took part in it relax, and then the walls 
of the chest, returning to their former posi¬ 
tion by their own elasticity, cause the air to 
be expelled, these alternating movements 
being true in natural respiration. 

The Muscles of the Abdomen 

The base of the abdomen is formed by 
the pelvic bones, but its walls consist mainly 
of sheetlike muscles, united together by flat 
tendons. These surround and support the 
soft internal organs and glands and readily 
adapt themselves to their movements. They 
produce certain movements of the body, 
causing it to incline either forwards or to one 
side or the other, and also assist in the 
important duties of the functions of the 
organs of this region. 

The Muscles of the Limbs 

In the upper limb there are separate 
muscles for the movements of the shoulder, 


Physical Development 107 

the upper arm, of the forearm and the hand. 
The extensor muscles of the arm lie on the 
outer and posterior of the upper arm, and 
the flexor muscles on the inner and front 
sides. The muscles on the inner side of 
the forearm are used in bending the hands 
and fingers, while those of the outer side 
extend and straighten these parts. 

The functions of the muscles of the lower 
limbs are quite similar. Those at the back of 
the hip pull the thigh backwards, and cause 
it to rotate to a certain extent. The leg is 
bent by the muscles that pass from the thigh 
to the leg behind, and is extended by those in 
front. Flexor, extensor and rotating 
muscles also pass from the lower end of the 
femur or thigh-bone to the foot, the flexors 
being behind and the extensors in front. 
The muscles of the foot are arranged 
similarly to those of the hand, but the 
mobility of the former is much less than that 
of the latter. Nor is the great digit or 
toe capable of being opposed to the others 
as the thumb is to the fingers. 

Muscles vary greatly in their form and 


io 8 Direct Method 

size. In the limb they are generally of con¬ 
siderable length and thickness, surrounding 
the bones and protecting the joints, while 
in the trunk they are flattened and contribute 
largely to the formation of the walls of the 
cavity they enclose, and also vary greatly 
in formation in the organs and glands of the 
body, which are all controlled in their 
functions by various muscles and layers of 
muscular tissue to the very minuteness of 
fibers, according to the functional regulari¬ 
ties and requirements of these organs, 
glands and blood circulation. The essential 
function of the skeletal muscles is to produce 
movements at joints by a shortening of the 
body of the muscle which joins the tendinous 
ends of the bones into which they are insert¬ 
ed. Muscles are both extensile and elastic. As 
an illustration, the application of a weight 
to an excised muscle will induce distortion, 
which will disappear immediately if the 
weight is removed; provided, however, it 
has not been sufficiently heavy to damage 
the protoplasm or cells of vital substance. 

Physiologically these qualities are of great 


Physical Development 109 

service, as they diminish shock, and allow of 
coordinated or harmonious muscular actions 
in technical movements, and prevent overdis¬ 
tension in hollow muscular organs, such as 
the heart, bladder, etc. The most interest¬ 
ing phenomenon, however, of muscular tissue 
is contractility or change in shape and 
tension, following the application of a 
stimulus. However, the changes in length 
and thickness are not the only results of 
contraction. We have also chemical 
processes involved, and it is from these that 
we obtain most of the heat and motor power 
necessary for the maintenance of life. They 
also produce by-products which, by their 
accumulation, produce fatigue. 

For a great many years it was claimed 
that fatigue was due solely to the accumu¬ 
lation of poisonous substances in the muscles, 
especially lactic acid, and to a certain degree 
this view still is prevalent. Recently, how¬ 
ever, the eminent Professor Mosso has 
shown, by his exhaustive experiments with 
the ergograph, that physical and mental 
fatigue are closely related, and that the 


I 10 


Direct Method 


mentally tired child cannot perform even 
purely physical work or exercise to anything 
like the same extent as when its nervous 
system is fresh. Wherefore, fatigue, or the 
sense of yielding or relaxing in lassitude or 
exhaustion of strength, is of the mind as well 
as of the body. And it operates through the 
medium of the spinal cord, which provides 
paths for the conduction of afferent nervous 
impulses to the brain and cerebellum and 
for the conduction of efferent nervous 
impulses from the brain and cerebellum to 
the spinal gray matter. The latter contains 
a large number of groups of cells or centers 
that preside over such acts as defecation, 
secretion of perspiration, etc. 

Through the means of motor-cells the 
gray matter maintains reflex action, and 
causes the constant slight muscular contrac¬ 
tion and compression designated muscle- 
tonus or tonic. Under continuous excitation 
or frequent repetition through mental and 
physical abnormal acts or indulgence, a 
spinal reflex becomes gradually weaker and 


Physical Development 


hi 


may cease altogether. This mental and 
physical phenomenon is called fatigue. 

Fear, worry, overexcitement and over¬ 
exertions cause fatigue, particularly in the 
delicate and the weak. On the other hand, 
mental and physical work or exercise, ration¬ 
ally performed, give the least cause for 
fatigue. In fact, they are rather the means 
to arrest and overcome such attacks, as they 
conduce to a normal state of mind and body. 
As a result of prolonged or repeated use the 
voluntary and involuntary muscles increase 
enormously in size. Disuse or inactivity, on 
the other hand, leads to atrophy and diminu¬ 
tion of muscle-cells or substance. 

Heat is an all-important factor in mani¬ 
festing and sustaining life, yet its operations 
in the human body are little understood. 
Without heat mankind, as well as all warm¬ 
blooded animals, would soon become extinct. 
Heat in the human body, whether produced 
by self-energy and nourishment or supplied 
by other means and aided by proper clothing, 
must be normal — about ioo degrees — to 
insure perfect health. 


112 


Direct Method 


While heat aids nature in all physiological 
processes, fever is the agent of heat and is 
often present in sickness. This extra or 
ultra-normal heat is really a beneficial phe¬ 
nomenon, because it burns and destroys the 
germinal infections that may cause the suf¬ 
fering. All that doctors or medicines can 
possibly do is to provide the proper condi¬ 
tions for heat or extra heat to act. 

Normal heat, generated from the oxygen 
of the air, inhaled and absorbed through the 
skin, stimulates and operates every function 
of the body. That naturally generated heat 
is superior to that spasmodically obtained 
through the use of alcoholic stimulants and 
nostrums, no one should doubt. 

Pure air and wholesome diet and reason¬ 
ably strenuous physical work or exercise are 
the best heat-producing agencies. 

Muscle-Force: How Applied 

The method of generating muscle-force is 
directly from within, animating and strength¬ 
ening the voluntary and involuntary muscles 
of the interior organs, glands and tissues of 



Natural posture, muscles relaxed 






Applying direct muscle-force, hand open 










Physical Development 113 

the body by conscious direction. This meth¬ 
od is the opposite of most of the systems of 
physical training taught today, which tend to 
develop the exterior body at the expense of 
the interior organs and functions, and often 
are followed by mental and physical fatigue. 

The attainment of direct muscle-force is 
not in the least complicated; on the contrary, 
it is a simplified method, ever ready and 
gained without the use of athletic apparatus 
or contrivances, although such may be used 
in connection with the direct method if 
desired. 

To attain specific results in direct muscle- 
force or muscle-building, one should possess 
the inclination and the will to execute, quali¬ 
ties that are absolutely necessary to success 
in all muscle-producing processes. If there 
is a lack in this respect, the qualities ought 
to be cultivated. A further necessity is the 
conscious full inflation of the lungs during 
all exercises of direct muscular activity. 
Ever bearing in mind the power of the mind 
over the muscular activities of the body, the 


Direct Method 


114 

student may proceed to test and practice the 
following exercise: 

It is advisable for the beginner to stand 
erect, the mind concentrated on the muscular 
control of the body, so as to more readily 
grasp the action of tensing the muscles in con¬ 
tracted pressure. This procedure will be 
readily comprehended if the student has 
studied with deliberation and practiced the 
lessons in Part III. 

With the arms hanging naturally at the 
sides, close the hands with a firm, conscious 
grip, causing a steady tensive compressure, 
which sensation will be felt passing through 
the muscles of the arms, extended through 
the shoulders and through the trunk of the 
body, as well as upwards through the mus¬ 
cles of the neck. Then release or relax 
the rigorous efforts for a second, by opening 
the hands. Then reverse while renewing the 
process, with the open hands and fingers ex¬ 
tended firmly backwards, with the same con¬ 
scious tensive compressure as in the closed- 
fist manipulation, until the same results are 
attained as before. Then relax for a second 


Physical Development i i 5 

and repeat the first process, alternating from 
one method to the other a number of times. 

This exercise may be extended alternately 
and intermittingly all through the muscles 
of the body. Bear in mind, however, that 
the tensive compressure of the muscles 
should be indulged in for a few seconds only 
and then released or relaxed for a second 
or two. The tensive compression produces 
natural bodily heat, which expels waste or 
wornout cells through the regular channels 
of exit. As the blood circulation will be 
greatly quickened during these tensive 
manipulations, the opportunity is presented 
for the inflow of energy. 

While standing with the body in proper 
position, attention may next be given to the 
lower limbs. With the mind directed to 
these parts, the same compressure or 
tensiveness as previously exerted will cause 
the flow of energy to enter the hips or lower 
trunk, and pass downward through the legs 
and feet. This is best accomplished by a 
little pressure on the floor with the ball of 
the foot, just as if the heel were about to be 


Direct Method 


i i 6 

raised. Then release and repeat intermit- 
tingly, and continue this great strength-in¬ 
ducing process as frequently as desired. If 
this direct process is faithfully practiced it 
will prove a specific for weak knees and 
weak legs. 

Whenever possible, during the exercises 
one should wear well-fitting full-sized shoes 
and loose-fitting garments, so as to allow 
the necessary ventilation and freedom of 
motion. In fact, as a means of promoting the 
general health this custom ought to be fol¬ 
lowed at all times, regardless of fashions 
or fads. 

Having mastered the foregoing processes, 
attention may now be directed, by the same 
conscious and tensive compression, to the 
various interior functions of the body, such 
as the chest, the spinal region, the midriff 
and the abdominal region. The importance 
of giving conscientious attention to the in¬ 
terior body, its functions, muscular develop¬ 
ment, etc., can not be too strongly empha¬ 
sized. The exterior body will of necessity 
develop vigor and strength simultaneously, 



Natural posture, muscles relaxed 







Applying direct muscle-force lightly, stimulating the 

nerves 




Physical Development ii^ 

as the exterior muscles, in their tensive 
compressions, are manipulated in accomplish¬ 
ing the tensive actions of the interior func¬ 
tions of the body. 

Muscle-Force Combined With Special 

Exercises 

With a full knowledge of the art of mental 
and muscular manipulation of the various 
parts of the body, the process may be com¬ 
bined with the best exercise known to man¬ 
kind, walking. Walking, or the steady and 
continuous forward fall, to be truly benefi¬ 
cial must be correct and elastic. The body 
should be carried in a proper position, the 
chest well rounded forward, the shoulders 
set supplely toward the rear on their trunk 
support, the spinal column or back of the 
trunk concaved, the abdomen drawn so as 
not to protrude, the bulk of the hips pro¬ 
jecting well toward the rear and the lower 
limbs extended vertically and naturally, in a 
supple manner, from the hip bones. 

All these essential qualifications we may 
observe in the healthy child, as benevolent 


118 Direct Method 

nature starts the child with a perfect car¬ 
riage of the body. It is only in later years 
that mankind has so generally assumed un¬ 
natural and abnormal aspects in the carriage 
of the body. Hence both old and young may 
profit by instruction in the proper carriage of 
the body, as given above. 

Anticipating a consistent adherence to the 
rules for carrying the body in a proper po¬ 
sition during walking—preferably in the 
fresh air with full inflation of the lungs— 
the most satisfactory method of joining di¬ 
rect muscle-force with walking will be ex¬ 
plained. From personal experience and 
observation the writer is convinced that this 
combined process is the foremost strength 
and health-promoting exercise. 

Walking properly, with the mental facul¬ 
ties fixed, apply the tensive compression 
alternately and intermittingly, in the upper 
trunk region. Then extend the process 
through the hips and lower limbs, which is 
best accomplished by tensive and relaxative 
rhythm in harmony with each progressive 
step taken. The compressive force and firm- 


Physical Development 119 

ness can be considerably increased by the 
nimbleness of the feet, by a quick and ten¬ 
sive pressure with the ball of the foot. 
While not absolutely essential, walking on 
the natural ground is always preferable and 
more enjoyable. 

The foremost strengthening center of the 
interior body lies in the region of the dia¬ 
phragm, which center is greatly assisted by 
full or diaphragmatic breathing. Those who 
are weak in this region of the body can not 
be too strongly urged to practice the double 
process frequently, directing the mental 
faculties and muscular manipulations to 
these vital parts. Mentally applied manipu¬ 
lation of the muscles in all parts of the body 
may be brought into the fullest activity dur¬ 
ing walking, as the body in motion lends 
great assistance in applying tensive contrac¬ 
tion and compression. 

As before stated, proper walking is supe¬ 
rior to any physical exercise known, and is 
sufficient, when conjoined with the direct 
process of muscle-force, for a full and nor¬ 
mal physical development. We may com- 


120 


Direct Method 


pare tensive walking, in a psychological 
sense, with the goose-step, as practiced in 
German military drills. Though severe, to 
say the least, the main purpose of this stiff 
or firm-kneed goose-step is to bring into 
consciousness and under control the sol¬ 
dier’s physical support, as well as hasten spe¬ 
cial muscular development of the lower 
limbs and hip region, which under regular 
walking or marching methods is not as fully 
and effectively attained. 

It is a well known fact that speedy muscu¬ 
lar development depends largely on the 
mental faculties, if they are concentrated 
on muscular or physical actions. 

While the goose-step and the tensive 
process of walking presumably aim at the 
same purpose, nevertheless the methods dif¬ 
fer greatly. The goose-step is severe, 
while the application of direct force by ten¬ 
sive compression is easy, simple and pleasur¬ 
able, and excels as a means of physical de¬ 
velopment and in beneficial effects. 

The student thus far advanced in the 
study and practice of the vital process 



Applying direct muscle-force, hand closed 






Applying direct muscle-force, hand open 



Physical Development 121 

knows that the mental and muscular manip¬ 
ulation can be instantly applied within the 
body at any desired moment, whether walk¬ 
ing, riding, sitting or standing. It should 
be fully understood, however, that direct 
nerve-force and direct muscle-force, while 
applied by the same process, differ in two 
particulars, viz.: Direct nerve-force is ap¬ 
plied in a moderate and prolonged manner 
before relaxing, which produces an oozing 
effect on the nerves throughout the body. 
Direct muscle-force is applied with agility 
and dispatch in a very firm manner of short 
duration before relaxation, which produces 
a quickened and firm tensive compression of 
the muscles in action. 

For the athletically inclined it is the pur¬ 
pose in the following pages to present a 
number of varying movements or exercises 
for the attainment of agility and for muscle¬ 
building purposes, by conjoining them with 
direct muscle-force. This direct process in 
like manner may be applied in conjunction 
with any manual work, exercise or physical 
training. These movements are to be per- 


122 


Direct Method 


formed by concentration of the mental pow¬ 
ers and tensive muscular compression and 
its relaxation, with full inflation of the 
lungs. 

It is always advisable to practice in the 
open air, but a well-ventilated room will do, 
for certain exercises. While exercising, dis¬ 
card stays and superfluous clothing; wear 
only loose-fitting garments, especially around 
the chest and waist; bare neck and arms 
are preferable, thus permitting the free play 
of tensive muscles and affording opportunity 
to view the vital process in action and al¬ 
lowing necessary bodily ventilation. The 
student may now proceed to apply the direct 
force with special exercises. 

By standing erect, with the body in a 
proper position, heels touching, toes out, 
raise the arms sidewards to the level of the 
shoulders, palms of the hands down. Then 
manipulate the muscles by closing the hands 
with a very firm grip, so as to perceive the 
tensive compression through the body. Then 
release the grip, with the arms still in the 
same horizontal position, and reverse the 



Applying direct muscle-force with the palms up 



Applying direct muscle-force with the palms down 











This posture shows the muscles relaxed 



Firmly applying direct muscle-force, with the fingers 
lightly touching the head. 











Physical Development 123 

process with the open backward-hand ten¬ 
sive compression, to the extent of obtaining 
the same results through the body as in the 
first process. Then bring the arms down 
with the palms of the hands toward the 
body, and repeat the same double action and 
manipulation while the arms are lowered at 
the sides. This double action of the hands, 
and movements or positions of the arms, 
may be alternately practiced with three ad¬ 
ditional positions of the palms; i. e., with 
the palms turned upward, to the front and 
to the rear. 

In the next exercise, raise the arms in 
front of the body at a right angle, horizontal 
with the shoulders, the palms of the hands 
down; then manipulate the muscles first 
with the closed hands then with them open. 
Then lower the arms, maintaining the same 
angle, and manipulate as before. Repeat 
the side movement, but with the palms in¬ 
ward; next with the palms outward, and 
lastly with the palms upward. Apply the 
proper mental concentration and tensive 
compression in each manipulation. 


124 


Direct Method 


In the next exercise, raise the arms at full 
length from the sides and bring the hands to 
the shoulders; then apply the double process, 
then lower the arms and manipulate the 
double process, which should be done each 
time the arms are brought to their natural 
position. Next raise the arms at full length 
in front, and bring the hands to the shoulder; 
apply the double process as before. Also 
make separate complete movements each 
time the hands are turned at different angles. 
All the foregoing exercises now may be re¬ 
peated with the arms alternating; that is, 
when one arm is raised the other should be 
lowered, and vice versa, although the hands 
in their opposite positions should be manipu¬ 
lated in the double process at the same time. 

In the next exercise, raise the arms at full 
length in front of the body to a right angle, 
horizontal with the shoulders, palms of the 
hands inward. Manipulate the closed 
hands; then bring the extended arms slowly 
backward, in a line with the shoulders, inhal¬ 
ing steadily and bracing up the chest; and 
when the arms are as far back as possible, 



Applying direct muscle-force firmly 




This posture shows the muscles relaxed 












Physical Development 125 

manipulate. Then bring the arms again 
slowly to the front on the same level while 
exhaling, and when in front manipulate; 
then lower the arms to the sides and manip¬ 
ulate. Repeat the process in accordance with 
the various turns and positions of the palms; 
then repeat with the open-hand manipula¬ 
tion. 

In the next exercise, raise the arms again 
at full length in front and bring them 
straight above the head. Inhale during this 
move. Then manipulate the muscles; then 
lower the arms and exhale. Repeat the 
movement with the various turns of the 
palms and the open and closed-hand manip¬ 
ulation. Also perform all these movements 
and manipulations of the muscles in raising 
the arms at full length, from the sides of the 
body, and.bring them straight above the 
head as before. 

Possible movements in line with the pre¬ 
ceding exercises are so numerous that one 
may readily conceive and adapt additional 
ones. 

Next to be considered are body-bending 


126 


Direct Method 


exercises, which are of great importance and 
next in rank to proper walking, as it is 
thereby that the organs, glands and all inte¬ 
rior functions of the body obtain their healthy 
activity. Various bending exercises, if not 
required in one’s regular occupation, should 
be practiced frequently, especially if one is 
corpulent or in the habit of keeping the 
body in a stationary or fixed position. 

As evidence of the value of bending exer¬ 
cises, take the gardener, whose vocation is 
deemed the healthiest, even outranking the 
agriculturist from the standpoint of health 
and long life. It is claimed by many, how¬ 
ever, that the health and longevity of the 
gardener are due to the abounding oxygen 
which is ever plentifully furnished with 
fragrancy by the flowers, plants, shrubs and 
trees. While this factor undoubtedly bene¬ 
fits the gardener in no small degree, another 
and possibly more important factor should 
be considered. The constant and variable 
bending of the body, in the tensive work 
which the occupation of gardener requires, 




Physical Development 127 

is to a great degree conducive to the internal 
health of the body. 

While on a six-month tour of Europe the 
writer observed, with unfeigned delight, 
the extraordinary healthfulness and hard¬ 
iness of the peasantry—men, women and 
children—for all are taught to assist in var¬ 
ious kinds of work. These tranquility lov¬ 
ing people are the backbone and support of 
the empires so often at war; not the cause, 
however, but the sinew of the terrible strug¬ 
gles. The eligible men and boys are com¬ 
pelled to go and fight, while those remain¬ 
ing at home are admonished to subservient 
assistance in bearing the burdens of war, 
obviously sharing the consequent loss and 
suffering. Their great hardiness and health, 
however, which we are considering, are 
chiefly due to their virtuous and moderate 
mode of living, the plain, wholesome food 
and the constant bending of their bodies in 
tilling small areas of land, in reaping, gath¬ 
ering and flailing the crops with the hands 
and hand implements, where modern farm 
machinery cannot be profitably employed. 


128 


Direct Method 


Thus the gardener and the peasant dem¬ 
onstrate the importance of variable and al¬ 
ternate bending or of incurvating the body 
as an aid to health and strength, particularly 
in aiding the activities of the interior regions. 

In bending exercise the mental and ten¬ 
sive processes should mostly be directed to 
the trunk of the body, especially to the dia¬ 
phragmatic and abdominal regions, which 
are particularly to be benefited. The stu¬ 
dent may now proceed with the incurvating 
exercises, standing erect, as in the former 
exercises. 

Raise the arms at full length from the 
front or from the sides of the body and 
bring them overhead. In this attitude bend 
the body forward as far as possible; then 
apply tensive compressure, with firmly 
closed hands. Further this manipulation 
through the arms and throughout the body; 
then relax, but maintain the attitude of the 
arms; raise the upper body and bend it back¬ 
ward as far as possible; manipulate the 
muscles firmly; then relax and bring the arms 
down and the body to an erect position. Next 


Physical Development 129 

raise the arms again to the original over¬ 
head attitude. Bend the body toward the 
right as far as possible, and manipulate; 
then relax and alternate the movement by 
slowly swaying the body toward the left, and 
manipulate as before. Then relax and re¬ 
sume the first position. 

Bear in mind that each incurvating move¬ 
ment and manipulation should be alternated 
in repeating the exercises, by turning the 
palms of the hands at various angles and by 
applying the open and closed-hand proces¬ 
ses. If desired the movements may be 
varied by permitting further freedom of 
the arms, during the bending of the body, 
than the former fixed attitude. For in¬ 
stance, while bending the upper body for¬ 
ward and downward, allow the hands to 
touch the floor, although holding the lower 
limbs straight at the knees, and firmly rigid. 

Many other attitudes may be utilized in 
the bending process, such as setting the 
feet certain distances apart, putting one foot 
forward and shifting the other to the rear, 


130 Direct Method 

alternately; also by sidestepping during 
complete bending evolutions. 

Other effective exercises are the slow com¬ 
passing or circling movements, which are 
highly beneficial to the interior trunk region 
and may be practiced thus: Stand erect and 
place the hands in each other with a reverse 
“how-do-you-do” grip, just as a laddie is apt 
to hold his lassie’s hand during an evening 
promenade. Now move the hands, with 
arms at full length, slowly toward the right, 
then on overhead toward the rear, turning or 
circling while stretching the body, at all 
angles, vigorously. Continue the movement 
downward to the left, completing the circle 
in front. Then reverse the exercise by start¬ 
ing toward the left, in a like circle. At var¬ 
ious angles during these movements, manip¬ 
ulate or tense the muscles very firmly inter- 
mittingly. Do not neglect full breathing. 
These circling exercises may also be practiced 
with the hands a short distance apart; thus 
the open and closed-hand manipulation may 
be fully applied, at various angles. 

In the next exercise, lie flat on the back, 


Physical Development 13 i 

with the arms stretched above the head. Al¬ 
ternately raise and lower the right and left 
leg with a slow and steady movement, hold¬ 
ing them straight. Apply the tensive corn- 
pressure very firmly through the hips and 
both legs, when either is raised. Vary the 
exercise; first with the foot pointed, then, in 
repeating, by drawing the point of the foot 
toward the knee. 

In the next exercise raise both legs at the 
same time. All other aspects and manipula¬ 
tions of the exercise should be performed 
in congruence with the alternating process. 

The upper body will next be considered, 
with the purpose in view of benefiting the 
diaphragmatic and abdominal regions. 

Still lying on the back, bring the out¬ 
stretched arms over the body. Raise the up¬ 
per trunk forward; continue until the hands 
touch or pass the feet, and simultaneously 
manipulate the muscles very firmly through¬ 
out the body; then relax and lower the body 
slowly to its former position. In repeating 
the process, turn the hands at various angles, 
as in former exercises. 


132 


Direct Method 


The next exercise is particularly beneficial 
to the hips and lower spinal column, if it is 
diligently and thoroughly performed. 

While in a prostrate position, keep the 
entire body on the floor. Push one hip 
slowly downward, the other upward, so that 
one foot extends further than the other; 
then manipulate the muscles firmly, espe¬ 
cially through the hips; then relax and alter¬ 
nate the movement. Shoulder movements 
may be practiced in a similar manner and at 
the same time, thus benefiting in particular 
the upper part of the spinal column. These 
hip and shoulder movements, joined with 
the intermittent tensive compressure, also 
may be practiced by persons who are con¬ 
valescing but are confined to the bed, where 
other exercises would be out of the question. 
And they may be practiced before arising 
in the morning, when the pillow should be 
removed, as they accord with the natural 
and enjoyable unrestrained healthy stretch 
which prepares the body for the immediate 
activities of the day, full of life, vigor and 
buoyancy. 


Physical Development 133 

In the next exercise lie on the front of the 
body. Place the palm side of the open hands 
on the floor beneath the shoulders. While 
in this attitude press the body slowly up¬ 
ward, holding it rigid, the back hollowed, 
legs straight, thus supporting the body in 
the raise by the toes, hands and full length 
of the arms; then manipulate firmly through¬ 
out the body. Then relax the compressure 
and lower the body to the former position. 

Another very beneficial bending exercise 
may be practiced thus: Stand with the 
body in the proper position, arms at the 
sides. Bend the upper trunk down to the 
right side, as far as possible, and stretch the 
right arm as far past the knee as permissi¬ 
ble; at the same time raise the left shoulder 
and bring the left hand under the left arm- 
pit. On attaining this attitude, manipulate 
firmly; then release and reverse to the left 
side in the same manner, and apply the same 
manipulation. 

The following exercise will especially ben¬ 
efit the hips, knees and ankles: 

In a standing position, with the arms at 


134 


Direct Method 


the sides, heels together, rise on tiptoe or on 
the balls of the feet. Then slowly sink the 
body, in an erect attitude, with the knees 
apart—heels are not to touch the floor. 
Then, when the body is fully lowered, apply 
the tensive compressure; then relax and raise 
the body to the former position. This exer¬ 
cise may also be practiced by keeping the 
feet flat on the floor. In repeating, the 
arms may be raised in various positions. 

There is another kind of exercise, sadly 
neglected, however, which is highly bene¬ 
ficial. It is hanging or suspending the body 
by the hands and arms; also, the opposite 
method of hanging by the feet; or a less dif¬ 
ficult and safer one of hanging by the legs 
with bended knees at a right angle over a 
horizontal bar or trapeze. Too few grown¬ 
ups practice this art of free suspension of the 
body, and those that do so are usually pro¬ 
fessional acrobats. The muscular superior¬ 
ity and graceful carriage of the body exhib¬ 
ited by these show people compel admiration 
and should incite to emulation for one’s own 
physical welfare. 


Physical Development 


135 


Suspending of the body has a tendency to 
allay irritation of the shoulders, back and 
hips, and to relieve momentarily the down¬ 
ward pressure on the spinal column and its 
nervous and muscular functions. It also will 
tend to correct any subluxation that may exist 
in the spinal column and its sockets, as well 
as correct minor irregularities and inactivi¬ 
ties of the digestive system. 

As suspension exercises promote physical 
growth, persons of short stature, who are 
yet young, may employ them to advantage, 
and by persistence attain normal height, 
symmetrical form and graceful carriage. 
For obtaining direct results in these exercises 
one should join tensive manipulation and ad¬ 
here to the full inflation of the lungs. Every 
home should be equipped with some kind of 
a stationary trapeze, or horizontal bar, 
about two inches in diameter, made of 
strong-fibered wood or galvanized pipe. Sus¬ 
pension of the body is absolutely essential 
to physical health, and should be practiced 
regardless of the query that some sons and 
daughters may propound, “How would 


136 


Direct Method 


mother look performing on the trapeze?” 
She should worry, if she is able to perform 
and thus enjoy the unquestionable benefit at¬ 
tained thereby. An excellent substitute for 
suspending exercises is climbing of any de¬ 
scription by means of the hands and arms 
jointly with the legs and feet. 

Swimming, Ice Skating, Dancing 
Swimming is another excellent exercise. It 
is recreative and should be practiced when¬ 
ever possible, either in natatoriums or in 
open waters. Salt water is greatly to be 
preferred, as it is more buoyant and posses¬ 
ses certain purifying and-invigorating quali¬ 
ties. The exhilarating, healthful effects of 
swimming on the physical functions of the 
body are pronounced. Swimming is the only 
exercise that mankind may indulge in where¬ 
by the entire surface of the body is com¬ 
pletely free from touching any solid matter, 
and hence it offers the greatest possible free¬ 
dom of the body. Boys and girls usually ac¬ 
quire the art of swimming more readily than 
grown persons, and they should receive the 
encouragement of parents or guardians. 


Physical Development 


*37 


There is perhaps no more enjoyable ath¬ 
letic sport, nor one more conducive to 
physical health, than skating, especially ice- 
skating in the open air; whereby the lower 
trunk region and lower limbs (in fact the 
entire body) are pushed forth with natural 
muscular tensive contraction and compres¬ 
sion. This animating sport is more nearly 
in accord with the teachings of this work on 
direct muscle-force than any other recrea¬ 
tion exercise. The graceful glides and 
swaying movements are particularly bene¬ 
ficial to the vital organs and muscles of the 
body. Skating skills the mind in directing 
and balancing the extremities of the body, 
and by it a specific training in equipoise and 
physical deportment is acquired. 

Let us now consider briefly the art of 
dancing, the universal pleasure, which, in its 
true sense of poise and ease of manner, is 
strictly in correlation with physical exercise. 
Dancing is presumably nearly as old as hu¬ 
man kind. It has lent inspiration to worship, 
incitement to war, enchantment to social and 
ceremonial functions and enjoyment to 


13 8 Direct Method 

diversified pastime all through the ages. 
And we may anticipate, by observing the 
present-day tendencies, that the art of 
dancing will prevail among both sexes of all 
nations throughout all future generations, 
regardless of edicts or denunciations. It 
must be apparent to all that the more per¬ 
sistently the dance is denounced the greater 
the number of its devotees, because natural 
buoyancy, health and happiness will not be 
subjugated nor subdued. To leap, to hop 
and to jump are true instincts in expressing 
joy, happiness and physical well-being. 

The writer deems rational dancing a beau¬ 
tiful physical accomplishment, which greatly 
aids the development of bodily poise and 
elegance of manner. When nine years of 
age his parents sent him to dancing-school, 
for which he has been ever grateful. He 
graduated in the thirty-six folk and special 
dances taught to a class of ninety pupils, un¬ 
der the expert direction of a very strict and 
attentive instructor, whose thoroughness 
was in accord with all German preceptors. 
He can truthfully say that dancing has never 


Physical Development 139 

harmed him in the least morally or phys¬ 
ically. 

Notwithstanding the popular and ever- 
changing steps essayed in modern dances, 
there are none that can favorably compare 
with the old right and left alternating waltz, 
the two-step or the polka. These time-hon¬ 
ored dances provide the best and most exhil¬ 
arating exercise, where all may hop in unison 
with a poise and manner closely resembling 
the true art of folk-dancing. This cannot be 
said of certain varieties of novelty walking 
steps minus the hop which are in vogue to¬ 
day. Like the one-step, for instance; though 
enchanting, it cannot really be classed as a 
dance. It is nothing more nor less than the 
ordinary military step of a commanding of¬ 
ficer. 

The quickened tensive muscular manipula¬ 
tion acquired in dancing exhilarates and 
animates both mind and body, provided ex¬ 
cessive indulgence is avoided. Particularly 
is this true where one gives conscious atten¬ 
tion to the muscular action. 

Reason should rule in all physical work, 


140 Direct Method 

exercise and athletic sport, as excessive and 
violent methods of physical training are in¬ 
jurious, particularly to the interior body. 
Such methods are frequently employed in 
schools, colleges and athletic clubs, where 
training for special athletic events is some¬ 
times greatly overdone. It is true, perhaps, 
that hard work or strenuous exercise will 
never harm a healthy, mature man or 
woman; it is more likely to prove beneficial 
both mentally and physically. But overwork 
or overtraining are invariably harmful to 
the immature. 

Mental control and supervision over ten¬ 
sive manipulation of muscular actions are 
functions, which must be seen in their true 
light, and promoted accordingly, to attain 
the full benefit desired. These functions 
are not fully developed through ordinary 
exercise, athletics or manual labor. To more 
clearly demonstrate the fact that the pro¬ 
cess of direct muscle-force is unexcelled by 
any other method of muscular training or ex¬ 
ercise, let us propound the question— 


Physical Development 141 

What are the means of developing mus¬ 
cle? 

Quite naturally the answer will be: By 
means of muscular exercise, requiring move¬ 
ments and exertions of the body and limbs. 
Which is only partially true. If a person 
lifts a weight or exerts muscular strength in 
a certain physical action, he invariably will 
bring the required muscles for such action 
to an immediate state of tensive contraction 
or compression. Without this necessary ten¬ 
sive compressure he cannot exert muscular 
power, as the least movement or exertion in 
any part of the body requires a certain degree 
of the tensive compressure. Therefore, the 
correct answer to the question is this: The 
muscles of the body are developed by means 
of tensive contraction or compression 
through the activity or by the exertion of the 
muscles themselves, directed and supervised 
by the mental faculties. Thus the muscles, 
upon being intermittingly relaxed from the 
tensive compressure, are supplied with new 
life, air from without and substance of the 
nutrient blood from within. The blood, of 


142 


Direct Method 


course, is actively permeated and freely cir¬ 
culated during muscular compressure, caused 
by the natural heat produced by the physical 
activity. 

The limited number of exercises given in 
this section of the work, and the possibilities 
suggested by a rational pursuit of the recrea¬ 
tive sports, conjointly with direct force, fur¬ 
nish a basis upon which the student may 
work out his own needed course of physical 
improvement and muscular exercise. And 
it is confidently asserted that the only ra¬ 
tional, and the most practical, method of 
achieving physical fitness is by the process 
of direct muscle-force, as taught in this work. 


PART V 

Bathing—Dry Friction 
Bathing 

/CLEANLINESS is indeed next to god- 
liness.” Uncleanliness, for more 
than a few hours at a time, is not only 
an evidence of lax morals but it is inimical 
to health. The dirt accumulated in honest 
toil, or in certain forms of sport, does not 
constitute uncleanliness—if it is removed as 
soon as convenient. But the chronic aversion 
to soap and water manifested by many peo¬ 
ple who are neither Indians nor residents of 
the slums, is appalling. 

Through the action of natural heat, the 
skin constantly throws off worn-out or waste 
matter—in a greater degree when the body 
is perspiring. If this waste matter is al¬ 
lowed to remain on the surface of the skin 
for any length of time, it clogs the pores and 
prevents natural excretion and healthy cir¬ 
culation. It should therefore be removed 
at frequent intervals, as neglect of this im- 

143 



144 


Direct Method 


portant duty renders the body susceptible 
to contagion and infection. Particular at¬ 
tention should be given to the parts of the 
body where surfaces are brought together, 
as the arm-pits, between the digits of the 
feet, etc., where the air does not circulate 
freely. 

Too much dependence should not be 
placed on the undergarments to perform the 
cleansing and absorbing process of the 
skin’s excretions. While cotton or linen 
garments, if frequently changed, have a 
tendency to absorb the moisture and clean 
the surface of the body in minimum degree, 
wool undergarments are a hindrance to this 
end. In fact, it is a mistake to wear wool- 
dress next to the body, for physical and san¬ 
itary reasons that later will be explained 
more fully. 

Undergarments, no matter what their 
texture, will not suffice to keep the surface 
of the body clean. Frequent bathing must 
be employed to maintain the skin in a salu¬ 
brious and the body in a refreshed condition. 
Nature, in its general process of excretion 


Physical Development 


145 

of waste substances through the skin, thus 
should be assisted, particularly during warm 
weather, at which time the excretion of the 
skin greatly increases and decomposition 
readily sets in. 

The so-called weekly bath may possibly 
serve the purpose during winter months, but, 
for obvious sanitary reasons, will not suffice 
during warm weather. 

The old reliable and popular tub-bathing 
still is clung to tenaciously, but it is to be 
hoped that ere long the vastly superior 
shower-bath will supersede the tub. The 
submerging method of tub-bathing is, how¬ 
ever, excellent for the soaking and washing 
of the body, although a spray or shower of 
fresh water should follow it to complete the 
bath and make it fully sanitary as well as 
invigorating and stimulating. The well- 
equipped bathroom of today has a shower- 
bath in connection, or a shower fixture at¬ 
tached to the piping of the bathtub, afford¬ 
ing a complete sanitary bathing apparatus. 

Many otherwise good and conscientious 
people, especially in the rural districts, con- 


146 


Direct Method 


sider the modern bathtub a luxury, either 
from a lack of knowledge of its virtues or 
because of the expenditure involved. And 
it is regrettable that not a few fail to prac¬ 
tice the bodily washing process at all. While 
in this particular our rural friends, some of 
them, may be negligent, in all other modes 
of living they certainly excel the average city 
dweller. However, we may anticipate that 
the younger generations will adapt them¬ 
selves more readily to modern methods of 
bodily cleanliness. 

Perspiring at intervals is absolutely essen¬ 
tial to health, and perspiration only can be 
properly exuded through natural heat ac¬ 
quired by means of the oxygen we breathe, 
the food we eat and physical toil or exercise. 
The one who seeks to avoid perspiring also 
unwittingly seeks to avoid health. 

The temperature of the water is a very 
important factor. Neither the very old nor 
the very young are proper subjects for cold 
bathing at any time, as cold water in these 
instances acts as a shock and causes a too 
sudden reduction of the temperature of the 


Physical Development 147 

body—where a prompt and necessary re¬ 
action can not be secured. 

Cold bathing, or a cold plunge, have their 
virtues and may be practiced by those who 
are healthy and hardy, provided the body 
is previously heated by moderate exercise 
and the blood circulation of the skin is acting 
freely. Such bathing should be of short 
duration and not at too frequent intervals. 
Neither cold-water bathing nor swimming 
should ever be indulged in when the body 
is at a low temperature, and never imme¬ 
diately after meals. From two to five hours 
after eating or shortly before are the proper 
times for bathing or swimming. 

Cold-water bathing greatly animates the 
lazy blood corpuscles, after reaction has 
taken place. Such reaction conduces to ac¬ 
tivity and increases the white corpuscles or 
cells of the blood, which in reality are the de¬ 
fenders of the blood and of the body in gen¬ 
eral, affording immunity from colds and var¬ 
ious diseases to which the skin is susceptible. 

Swimming in cold water should not be 


148 


Direct Method 


prolonged a moment after a sense of chilli¬ 
ness is experienced. 

Bathing or swimming in sea or fresh water 
is for invigorating exercise and exhilarating 
pleasure rather than a means of thoroughly 
cleansing the body. The warm bath, to¬ 
gether with the use of a good quality of soap, 
is the proper cleansing and soothing oper¬ 
ation, and should be followed by a final rinse 
or spray of tepid water. 

The most suitable time for the warm bath 
is in the evening before retiring, particularly 
during cold weather, although a warm 
shower-bath for cleansing purposes safely 
may be taken at any time during the day, win¬ 
ter or summer, provided it is of short du¬ 
ration and is followed by a quick drying— 
not rubbing—and immediate attiring. 

The Turkish and Russian baths, however, 
which are common in the larger cities, are 
too severe for general bathing purposes. In 
fact, they are dangerous for those who pos¬ 
sess a weak constitution or who are afflicted 
with organic physical defects. These irra¬ 
tional baths, if indulged in at all, only should 


Physical Development 149 

be taken on the recommendation or approval 
of a reliable physician. The danger is not 
so much during the soothing process of the 
bath as it is from the after-effects resulting 
from an overdrain of perspiration, which 
is unnatural and exerts a weakening influence 
on the internal organs. 

Frequent bathing produces a clean, odor¬ 
less skin and assists free excretion. Personal 
cleanliness is in agreement with good taste 
and manners, and it is a distinct pleasure to 
meet and mingle with those who exhibit a 
glowing bodily wholesomeness. 

Dry Friction 

A moderately vigorous dry-rub of the skin 
generates heat and accelerates the blood cir¬ 
culation of the surface of the body, and is 
therefore of value in maintaining health. 
Heat produced by friction keeps the blood 
from receding from the skin, a condition ex¬ 
perienced on arising in the morning, where 
the sleeping-room is at a lower temperature 
than the body. This condition is particularly 
noticeable when one delays dressing. 


150 


Direct Method 


When physical labor or vigorous exercise 
are discontinued and one remains in a cool 
atmosphere or in a room of lower temper¬ 
ature than that of the body, neglect to give 
the body proper attention is frequently fol¬ 
lowed by congestion or an undue accumula¬ 
tion of blood in certain interior parts of the 
body. This sudden withdrawal of blood 
from the surface of the body frequently is the 
cause of a severe cold; and an obstinate cold 
often leads to other and serious physical ills. 

The most natural as well as the most bene¬ 
ficial means of preventing evil results from 
the foregoing conditions are four in number, 
viz.: A quick moderated or cold shower- 
bath, which is the most sanitary; a vigorous 
dry-rub or friction of the surface of the body, 
the surest method of intercepting common 
colds; immediately clothing the body proper¬ 
ly, which in any event should follow the first 
two protective means; and lastly, a quick, 
active manipulation of direct muscle-force, 
which may properly be conjoined with the 
dry-rub. 

Percussion, or striking the surface of the 


Physical Development 15 i 

body with the hands, is another means of 
friction, frequently practiced by the physical¬ 
ly hardy and strong, which, like the rubbing 
process, will produce natural heat, thereby 
retarding the withdrawal of the blood and 
retaining it at the skin’s surface long enough 
to allow the temperature to lower and the 
circulatory system to attune itself and return 
to its normal condition. 

Several other processes of dry friction may 
be adopted, separately or interchangeably, 
so as to constitute a complete course of the 
highly beneficial practice, among them: 
Straight friction, consisting of rubbing up 
and down the body and limbs; circular fric¬ 
tion, consisting of rubbing around the body 
and limbs; and diagonal friction, consisting 
of rubbing from certain angles to other an¬ 
gles in diagonal courses over the body. 

The proper time for taking a dry-rub or 
dry friction is on arising in the morning, be¬ 
fore retiring in the evening, after vigorous 
exercise or hard labor, and if possible when¬ 
ever the body is overtaken with an unnatural 
chill. A chill is the usual forerunner of a 


152 


Direct Method 


cold, and If this condition is experienced, an 
immediate dry friction of the surface of the 
body will usually serve as a preventive, as the 
natural-heat action of the dry-friction pro¬ 
cess is very stimulating in its effect. 

The most suitable materials for use in ap¬ 
plying bodily friction are a very rough Turk¬ 
ish bath-towel—linen preferred—or rough 
mittens made of the same material as the 
towel, and sanitary horse and goat-hair. 
Certain kinds of brushes are effective, but 
they are not as desirable as suitable mittens. 
Loofah mittens, made from a vegetable fiber, 
may be used for dry friction although they 
are best adapted to the wet bath, for which 
purpose they are unexcelled. But never, un¬ 
der any circumstances, is it advisable to use 
woolen fabrics or woolen mittens for bodily 
friction, as the touch of wool and the rubbing 
therewith is detrimental to the skin. 

Cleanliness of the friction-mittens, or of 
whatever is used as a substitute, is of vital 
significance, and they should be frequently 
and thoroughly washed, properly aired and 


Physical Development 153 

dried and kept in an ever-ready sanitary con¬ 
dition. 

Too much emphasis can not be placed on 
the value of dry friction. It is of great 
hygienic worth in maintaining a vigorous, 
healthy skin; and furthermore, it will hasten 
the transformation of the skin to a hardy 
smoothness and superior excellence which is 
not attainable by any other method, with the 
possible exception of the previously described 
cold shower or cold bath. 


i 











PART VI 
Clothing the Body 

TTT'HETHER by accident or design, it 
* * frequently happens that the dictators 
of fashion in wearing apparel conform their 
ideas to the laws of health and sanitation. 
More often, however, extreme “style” means 
danger to the health of fashion’s devotees. 
It also may be true that many of the foolish 
and unhygienic practices, so conspicuous on 
the streets and in ballrooms, are the result 
of an endeavor to outfashion fashion. 

Conceding that as a rule the garments 
worn by the women of today are more com¬ 
fortable, more sensible and withal more 
nearly in accord with well known rules of 
health than formerly, there still is ample 
room for “dress-reform” so-called. How¬ 
ever, it is not our purpose to set the style, 
exploit fashion, nor to suggest reforms other 
than those that directly affect the health. But 
rather to advocate the application, in the 
matter of dress, of certain principles that are 

*55 


Direct Method 


156 

too generally ignored; to make plain what 
garments ought to be worn and how, and of 
what material they should be constructed if 
worn next to the body. 

While not exactly germane to the subject 
in hand, a few preliminary observations on 
the deceptions practiced in the manufacture 
and sale of textile fabrics may be helpful. So 
perfect are the imitations of silk, wool and 
linen that the uninitiated cannot detect the 
deception. Much of the so-called pure or 
genuine silk is never spun by the silk-worm 
or caterpillar of Europe, South America, 
China, Japan, nor any other country. On 
the contrary, it is made from cellulose or 
from specially prepared cotton. What is 
sold for all-wool material is frequently only 
part wool. Wool mixed or “half wool and 
half cotton” is often mostly cotton; whereas 
cotton containing a small particle of wool 
can be made to appear as mostly wool. Linen 
also is mixed with cotton and sold as pure 
linen. The student of economics will readily 
discern in the prevailing deceptions in the 
manufacturing and merchandising of textile 


Physical Development 157 

fabrics an important factor in the “high cost 
of living.” 

To protect the public from textile-trade 
deceptions, all manufactured fabrics and 
ready-made apparel should be specifically 
stamped or marked, as to which kinds and 
what parts of material they contain, and also 
should bear the name of the manufacturer. 
Similar requirements should be exacted of 
the textile importer. A federal law, on the 
order of the pure-food and drug act, cover¬ 
ing the points indicated would be a good 
thing for the consumer. 

It is true, perhaps, that the pace-makers 
in the “style” Marathon—for both sexes— 
while striving for beauty or novelty in dress, 
really have health and comfort in view. And 
yet it would seem that their vision is often 
clouded, for it can not be denied that many 
of the sudden and relentless changes dictated 
by fashion, as to modes and materials, pos¬ 
itively disregard near-fatal consequences. 
“Stylish” garments often are so constructed 
as to positively cause discomfort, thus hin- 


15B 


Direct Method 


dering freedom of movement and menacing 
the general health. 

Granting that one’s attire is largely a per¬ 
sonal matter, let us consider some of the fac¬ 
tors in necessary apparel; how certain gar¬ 
ments affect the health of both sexes, and the 
direct effects produced on the body by the 
various materials of which undergarments 
are constructed. 

Clothing properly constructed will af¬ 
ford comfortable conformity to the figure 
of the wearer. The apparel should neither 
constrict nor hinder the free movement of 
any part of the body, as the physical func¬ 
tions thereby may be seriously affected. 
Plenty of air space underneath any garment 
is vitally important, because the air in such 
spaces constitutes a non-conductor of heat or 
cold. This is a factor which should be more 
generally recognized, as such air-room will 
positively serve as a moderator or regulator 
of heat or cold; thus, to a great degree, a 
normal temperature of the body is preserved 
regardless of atmospheric conditions. To 
achieve this result it is essential that the 


Physical Development 159 

clothing be suspended from the shoulders— 
not mostly from the waist, as usually is the 
case—inasmuch as clothing suspended from 
the shoulders affords the body freedom and 
ventilation in its every part. This invariably 
includes underclothing, preferably a one- 
piece garment or union-suit, which, if loosely 
worn, has a tendency to give a light bene¬ 
ficial friction to the surface of the body when 
in motion, thus stimulating and strengthen¬ 
ing the nerve-fibers of the skin. Girdles, 
waistbands, sashes and belts should be worn 
loosely if at all. The practice of binding 
tightly the waist region with stiff corsets is 
indiscreet, to say the least, as such lacing in¬ 
terferes with the functions of the trunk 
region of the body. 

As the many present-day loose-fitting gar¬ 
ments sanctioned by leaders of fashion do 
not contemplate the encircling and confining 
bodice, an excellent opportunity is presented 
forever to exile this antique custom of 
squeezing the vital organs of the waist region 
of the body. The corseting habit would be 
relegated at once if the women who are ad- 


160 Direct Method 

dieted to the use of tight whaleboned stays 
could actually view, through the medium of 
the X-ray, the detrimental effects in mis¬ 
placed or distorted internal organs. It is 
a parental duty—even if mother feels that 
she cannot practice what she preaches—to 
warn young girls and young women against 
the pernicious practice of wearing corsets; 
rather should they play, exercise or perform 
certain physical work, whereby they will gain 
natural strength and the necessary muscle to 
stay their sides for the support of the waist 
region. 

Collars, neckatees, etc., should be low and 
comfortable, so as to insure ease and free¬ 
dom of the neck, as overdressing or over¬ 
heating the neck is extremely detrimental to 
the throat and upper chest, and consequently 
to health in general. Observe the low-neck 
attire of the sailor and his uniformly good 
health; then resolve carefully to avoid exces¬ 
sive muffling of the neck, regardless of fash¬ 
ion or of weather conditions. 

A pernicious custom to which in partic¬ 
ular the male sex is addicted is wearing tight 


Physical Development 161 

garters or hose supporters around the calf of 
the leg. Free circulation of the blood is thus 
impeded, frequently causing varicose or en¬ 
larged veins and other affections of the 
lower limbs and feet. Furthermore, the con¬ 
stant pulling of the garters on the hose has 
a tendency to constrict the toes, as much or 
even more than a tight or too short shoe. If 
a hose support is absolutely required, some 
means should be devised for attaching it to 
the undergarment, thus securing free circula¬ 
tion of the blood in the lower limbs. 

The custom of wearing stiff-bosomed or 
closely pleated, starched shirts, through 
which no air can possibly circulate, is ob¬ 
viously wrong, and when high, stiff collars 
are added, the health is positively menaced. 
This custom slowly is becoming obsolete, but 
it still is followed by a great many men who 
ought to “be shown” the error of their way. 
The non-ventilated, constrictive shirtfronts 
and high, stiff collars universally should be 
tabooed. Comfortable negligees are the 
proper substitute, as they allow the neck and 


162 


Direct Method 


chest full freedom and ease and supply the 
ventilation so necessary to perfect health. 

Probably no clothing requirement is of 
greater importance, from the standpoint of 
health, than the undergarment. And prob¬ 
ably, too, none is more persistently neglected 
by a majority of people. Worn beneath 
other apparel, and therefore protected from 
the gaze of prying eyes, the quality of the 
underclothing often receives insufficient at¬ 
tention. For this reason, also, wilful neg¬ 
lect of proper sanitary measures and a con¬ 
dition of unwholesomeness are made pos¬ 
sible. However, the tendency is toward 
more frequent changing and cleansing of the 
undergarments, so without further comment 
let us consider another and equally import¬ 
ant phase of the underwear question. 

From the standpoint of health, woolen, 
woolen-mixed, woolen-fleeced and woolen- 
flannel undergarments, for wear next to the 
surface of the body, are the greatest curse 
yet devised. It is all very well to wear 
woolen clothing as outer or overgarments, 
but not next to the skin. 


Physical Development 163 

Woolen is non-absorptive, therefore not 
sanitary, and is conducive to feverish condi¬ 
tions of the body, as experienced in colds, 
catarrhal affections and inflammatory dis¬ 
eases of the skin and body in general. 
Woolen undergarments impede the capillary 
blood circulation and aggravate and deaden 
the sensitive nerve-fibers of the exterior 
skin, which nature intended as a protection 
against external afflictions. Instead of nat¬ 
ural heat remaining in the body to perform 
its functional duties, woolen undergarments 
permit its escape through the weakened nerv¬ 
ous and feverish circulatory conditions for 
which they are directly responsible. 

Heavy cotton-flannel and fleece-lined un¬ 
dergarments have, to a certain degree, the 
same evil tendencies. 

Silk and imitation-silk underwear, worn to 
some extent although classed as a luxury, is 
also detrimental to the skin. 

The most healthful undergarments worn 
today consist of two principal fabrics— 
cotton, and linen or linen mesh. 

Cotton has been used since very remote 


164 


Direct Method 


times, as is shown by the writings of Herod¬ 
otus, Pliny and other early historians. It 
is quite certain that it was used in India three 
thousand years ago, and in Egypt more than 
two thousand years ago. When the Eu¬ 
ropean voyagers, Columbus, Pizarro and 
Cortez, visited for the first time the ancient 
civilizations of Mexico, Central America, 
Peru and the West Indies, the manufacture 
of cotton was in a flourishing condition, and 
the quality and beauty of the product was of 
a high order. The culture and manufacture 
of cotton was introduced in the United States 
in colonial times, and today ranks as the 
greatest American product in the markets of 
the world, about seventy-five per cent, of the 
world’s cotton production being credited to 
the United States. And King Cotton pro¬ 
vides excellent material for undergarments 
and hosiery, as well as overapparel. 

The use of linen, for underwear, is as yet 
quite limited in this country, notwithstand¬ 
ing the fact that it is far superior in every 
respect to cotton or any other fabric made 
for that purpose. Linen has been an article 


Physical Development 165 

of commerce for thousands of years, and 
from the ancient Roman period down to the 
present, the culture of flax and the manu¬ 
facture of fine linen have been among the 
most stable industries. In the European 
countries, where the principal linen manufac¬ 
tories are located, the people wear linen un¬ 
derwear almost exclusively, which accounts 
to a considerable extent for their healthful¬ 
ness. 

During his youth, in Northern Germany, 
the present writer knew of and wore no 
other underwear. Linen—home-grown, hat- 
cheled, spun and woven—was the staple fab¬ 
ric for such apparel. Linen imparts to the 
body a sense of relief and comfort unequaled 
by any other fabric. This sense of comfort 
is due to the fact that linen garments, unlike 
woolen, woolen-mixed or silk, do not impede 
but promote skin activity, and readily absorb 
perspiration. Many physicians, recognizing 
the beneficial results that follow the wearing 
of linen undergarments, recommend them to 
their patients. 

Unfortunately, we are much more partic- 


166 


Direct Method 


ular about linen handkerchiefs, linen towels, 
table linen, etc., than about the more import¬ 
ant item underlmen. No one would think of 
using woolen, wool-mixed or silk materials 
for hand, face or bath toweling; then why 
should these materials be used for underwear 
or hosiery, which act as absorbent toweling 
for the surface of the body? A French offi¬ 
cer, convalescing in a hospital at Havre, is 
credited with the remark, “The English and 
the Irish are the bravest fighting people in 
the world, but in the matter of woolen under¬ 
wear they are worse than mollycoddles.” 

To give a comprehensive and fairly ac¬ 
curate idea of the various textiles worn by 
men and women in the form of underwear, 
together with the percentage each item bears 
to the whole, the following compilation was 
made. The figures necessarily are approx¬ 
imate, as they were obtained from a number 
of large department stores but do not in¬ 
clude the entire country. 

Men’s underwear: 

Pure silk, about i%. 

Silk and wool mixed, about 7%. 


Physical Development 


167 


Pure wool, nearly 10%. 

Wool and cotton mixed, probably 35%. 

Pure cotton, fully 42%. 

Linen and linen mesh, less than 5%. 

Women’s underwear: 

Pure silk, fully 1%. 

Silk and wool mixed, about 10%. 

Pure wool, about 15%. 

Wool and cotton mixed, probably 29%. 

Pure cotton, fully 41%. 

Linen and linen mesh, less than 4%. 

From these figures it will be seen that 
over fifty per cent, of the men and women of 
this country wear underwear that is detri¬ 
mental to the nervous, secretive and circula¬ 
tory functions of the skin. Less than forty- 
two per cent, wear pure cotton, which ranks 
next to linen as a rational fabric for under¬ 
garments and agrees with recognized health 
principles. It will be noted that less than 
five per cent, wear the superior, health-pro¬ 
moting underlinen or linen mesh. 

It is estimated that forty per cent, of both 
sexes wear the correct one-piece or union un¬ 
dersuits, while sixty per cent, still cling to 


168 


Direct Method 


the unnatural and inconvenient two-piece 
suits. The latter are detrimental to health 
for two principal reasons, viz.: Over the 
waist and hip region, where the upper and 
lower garments meet, it necessitates an un¬ 
natural doubling of the material, thus pre¬ 
venting uniformity; to support the lower gar¬ 
ment, binding or constriction of the waist-line 
is necessary, which causes unnatural pres¬ 
sure on the internal organs, frequently re¬ 
sulting in luxation and inviting the all-too- 
frequent surgical operation. 

The same principles apply in the selection 
of underwear for children and infants as for 
adults. While it is obviously true that the 
bodies of infants should be warmly and rea¬ 
sonably clad, it is also true that infants’ ap¬ 
parel should consist of soft linen underneath 
the wool or mixed fabrics. Or, if flannel is 
used, it should be pure, white cotton flannel 
of a soft texture. It is wrong to force the 
tender cuticle of the body into immediate con¬ 
tact with woolen, woolen-mixed, silk or silk- 
mixed garments, and persistence in the prac¬ 
tice is almost certain to be followed by evil 


Physical Development 169 

consequences. Furthermore, those who 
wear underlinen require less clothing than 
those who do not. 

Silk, woolen, or woolen and cotton mixed 
hosiery is unwholesome and unsanitary. 
Much of the waste matter of the body is ex¬ 
pelled through the feet, and as fabrics which 
are practically non-absorbent tend to inter¬ 
rupt the healthy action of the nervous and 
circulatory functions of the feet, it is a rea¬ 
sonable conclusion that such fabrics should 
be relegated. Unsanitary and seamed 
hosiery also is a fruitful cause of corns, bun¬ 
ions, callouses, etc., as well as cold feet. For 
ordinary wear, cotton is the only reasonable 
and sanitary fabric for hosiery. However, 
if climatic conditions make heavier hosiery 
necessary, woolen may be worn over cotton 
hose with nothing but beneficial effects. 

If those who are wearing underwear and 
hosiery made of silk, wool or mixed textiles 
desire to change to underlinen, and to cotton 
hosiery, they may safely do so at any time, 
in any climate, regardless of weather condi¬ 
tions, as the impaired skin will recuperate in 


170 


Direct Method 


a very short time. This recuperation may be 
hastened by dry friction and by cold shower 
baths. 

Our observations on clothing the body 
would be incomplete were the pajama habit 
permitted to pass unnoticed. One might as 
well retire without completely undressing as 
to wear pajamas. The good old nightie, 
comfortable and restful, is much to be pre¬ 
ferred for sanitary and other reasons. The 
lower garment of the pajamas invariably 
binds and constricts the waist and hip 
regions, and this binding frequently prevents 
tranquil slumber. Therefore, the delusive 
pajamas may be classed as irrational sleeping 
garments, and not in conformity with natural 
health principles. The plain muslin or linen 
nightshirt is far superior to the ill-conceived 
pajamas. 


PART VII 
Wholesome Food 

Of books and pamphlets, calculated to in¬ 
struct in the choice and preparation of food 
for the table, there is no end. These pub¬ 
lications are both scientific and decidedly 
otherwise. Many of them, however, possess 
true merit and supply useful and valuable in¬ 
formation that is easily comprehended. It 
is not intended in this discussion to add to the 
long list of dietary formulas, but rather to 
suggest a rational diet—what should and 
should not be eaten by those who would main¬ 
tain perfect health—and giving reasons 
therefor. 

To insure a proper understanding of the 
subject, it is deemed advisable to present a 
somewhat lengthy description of the diges¬ 
tive organs and glands and their functions. 

The human digestive system consists not 
only of the digestive tube through which the 
food has to pass, but also of various organs 
external to it, which prepare fluids that take 

171 



172 Direct Method 

part through natural heat in the process of 
digestion. 

After the food has been cut by the incisor 
teeth, masticated by the molars and mingled 
with the saliva from the salivary glands, it 
is thrown by the tongue into the cavity called 
the pharynx, at the back of the mouth. The 
muscles of the pharynx then contract on the 
food, forcing it into the thick fleshy tube— 
the oesophagus or gullet—that lies imme¬ 
diately behind the trachea or windpipe, and 
then, passing behind the heart, proceeds 
through the diaphragm or midriff muscle. 
This tube consists largely of involuntary mus¬ 
cular fibers, by means of which the food is 
forced downward into the stomach. 

The stomach is a thick-walled, pear-shaped 
bag, continuous with the gullet, lying imme¬ 
diately below the diaphragm, principally on 
the left side. Its walls contain involuntary 
muscular fibers by which the food is kept 
constantly churned, and its lining of mucous 
membrane contains numerous small glands 
that prepare an acid fluid—gastric juice— 
that has the power of digesting nitrogenous 


Physical Development 173 

foods. The swallowed saliva at the same 
time acts on the starchy ingredients, of the 
food, converting them into sugar. After re¬ 
maining some time in the stomach the food 
is allowed to pass through the pyloric open¬ 
ing of the stomach, thus entering the small 
intestine—duodenum—where it almost im¬ 
mediately mingles with the bile from the 
liver and the pancreatic juice from the pan¬ 
creas or sweetbread, a gland situated be¬ 
tween the bottom of the stomach and the 
vertebrae of the loins. The former of these 
fluids digests the fats, while the latter not 
only assists in the same process but also con¬ 
tinues the work commenced by the saliva and 
the gastric juice. 

The small intestine is about twenty feet 
long, and is generally regarded as consisting 
of three parts. The first of these is the duo¬ 
denum, about ten inches long, bent in the 
form of a horseshoe, and leading direct from 
the stomach. The remainder of the tube con¬ 
sists of the jejunum and the ileum. It should 
be understood, however, that the above divi¬ 
sion is based on internal differences rather 


174 


Direct Method 


than on outward appearances, and that the 
lines of separation are rather indefinite. The 
end of the ileum communicates with the large 
intestine; and a valve, formed by two folds 
of the internal mucous lining, prevents the 
contents from passing backwards after it has 
once issued from the former. Below the 
junction the large intestine forms a blind 
pouch—the caecum—which bears the vermi¬ 
form appendix, and above it commences the 
colon, which consists of an ascending, a trans¬ 
verse and a descending portion, etc. The 
whole of the abdominal portion of the digest¬ 
ive tube is covered externally by a thin mem¬ 
brane—the peritonium—a continuation of 
which lines the abdomen itself. Loose folds 
of this membrane also extend between the 
coils of the intestines, supporting them in 
their places. The latter are termed the mes¬ 
enteries, and have already been referred to 
as affording a support for the lacteal or chyle 
vessels. The various arteries and veins that 
convey blood to and from the intestines are 
also distributed on them. 

The liver is the largest gland of the body, 


Physical Development 175 

and its important functions should be well 
understood by every one. It is situated im¬ 
mediately under the diaphragm, principally 
on the right side, its upper smooth and con¬ 
vex surface fitting closely against the concave 
lower surface of the diaphragm. It consists 
of two principal lobes. The right lobe, 
which is the larger, has three additional sub¬ 
lobes, the whole of w T hich extends downward 
against the right side of the abdomen, under 
the cover of the lower ribs. The left lobe 
partially covers the stomach. 

The liver is richly supplied with blood, 
which it receives from two distinct sources. 
Some of this passes direct from the descend¬ 
ing aorta through the hepatic artery, and the 
remainder is the blood which has already 
passed through the capillaries of the digest¬ 
ive organs, and is therefore rich in nutrient 
matter. The latter enters the liver by the 
portal vein. After the blood has circulated 
through the capillaries of the liver, and given 
up the materials of which the bile is formed, 
it is discharged by a single vessel—the hep- 


Direct Method 


\ 


176 

atic vein—into a large vein that communi¬ 
cates with the right auricle of the heart. 

The bile is a greenish-yellow fluid that 
leaves the liver by a special duct, called the 
hepatic duct. This conveys the bile at once 
to the duodenum, if digestion is in progress, 
or into the gall-bladder on the under side of 
the right lobe, to be stored for a time if not 
immediately required. The bile has the 
power of dividing the fats into such small 
globules that they form a milky emulsion, in 
which condition it can be easily absorbed by 
the lacteal capillaries of the small intestines. 

The right margin of the liver normally 
lies a little below the bow of the lower ribs; 
but it is commonly found in women, as a re¬ 
sult of tight lacing, that this portion of the 
liver is permanently forced downward, some¬ 
times so far that it almost reaches the crest 
of the hip-bone, and that its convex surface 
is furrowed by the undue pressure of the ribs. 
The pancreas or sweetbread is situated be¬ 
hind the lower part of the stomach, with its 
larger end within the curve of the duodenum 
at the place where the bile-duct enters, and 


Physical Development 177 

the two tubes frequently unite, thus entering 
the intestine by a common opening. 

At the left end of the stomach there is an 
oval organ called the spleen or milt, a gland 
of a soft and pulpy nature without a duct, 
very richly supplied with blood; however, it 
is not a member of the digestive system, as 
its chief function seems to be the building up 
of the corpuscles of the blood. 

The functions of the liver, and its vital 
operations in conjunction with the digestive 
system, are little understood by the majority 
of people. The greenish-yellow fluid or bile, 
produced and passed by this great organ or 
gland, not only has the power of managing 
saccharine and starchy foods, and dividing 
fats into globules or milky emulsions for the 
absorption of the lacteal capillaries of the 
small intestine, but it also is endowed with 
antitoxic or protective properties for the de¬ 
struction of the various poisons and micro¬ 
organisms that are ever present in the digest¬ 
ive channels, which if undestroyed would 
speedily promote disease and endanger life. 

The bile is a most poisonous glandular 


178 


Direct Method 


secretion, which is carried to the liver by 
means of the blood circulation, and for this 
reason needs to be expelled from the system 
speedily. It consists of alkaline wastes and 
various poisonous substances, of an antiseptic 
and laxative character, which in a measure 
act as absorbents in diverting and neutral¬ 
izing the gastric juices, thus preventing injury 
to the small intestine. Hence how important 
it is that the liver, that vital gland of mani¬ 
fold functions beneficial to the digestive sys¬ 
tem, be not maltreated with unwholesome 
foods and drinks, nor drugged with calomel 
or other worthless so-called medicines. It 
should be treated with consideration, and as¬ 
sisted in performing its functions, not only by 
proper diet but by the vitalizing energy ex¬ 
erted by toil, exercise and the application of 
direct nerve and muscle-force. 

Appetites are either natural or acquired. 
Hunger and thirst, to those who lead normal 
lives, are natural appetites. Acquired ap¬ 
petites are those artificially created by the 
use of condiments, alcoholic beverages, to¬ 
bacco, etc. Natural hunger craves nothing 


Physical Development 179 

but wholesome, health-promoting food and 
drink. Artificial hunger is more apt to crave 
death-dealing preparations and decoctions 
than otherwise. Relative to natural hunger 
the youthful experiences of the writer on a 
Douglas county (Nebraska) farm are re¬ 
called with vividness and pleasure. While 
farm work of any kind conduces to an excel¬ 
lent natural appetite, husking corn easily 
takes precedence as an appetizer. 

During the corn-husking season you arise 
before daybreak, and, after “doing the 
chores,” partake of a hearty, wholesome 
breakfast, including real pancakes. The 
horses are then hitched to the standard 
twenty-five-bushel-box wagon, attached to 
the rear end of which is a jug of 
pure water. Thus equipped, you start 
at dawn for the ripened field, exhilarated by 
the autumn ozone. Arrived at your destina¬ 
tion, the horses are allowed to take care of 
themselves, with a row of cornstalks—al¬ 
ready husked—between them, on which they 
feed while you work. “Get up!” and 
“Whoa!” are the only commands given the 



180 Direct Method 

horses at this time. “Gee” and “Haw” are 
unnecessary, for like the narrow way the 
cornstalk rows are straight. When well into 
the field you behold with joy the rising sun, 
and as old Sol rises higher in the heavens the 
temperature becomes quite warm, not to say 
hot. Natural thirst is the consequence, and 
recourse is had at frequent intervals to the jug 
in the rear. 

With a heaping-full wagon-box—twenty- 
five bushels or thereabouts—you return to 
the house and the red and golden ears are 
then shoveled into the nearby corncrib. Next 
you give water to the horses, but obviously 
no feed; they just linger while you go and 
eat. It is now eleven o’clock, and such an 
appetite for the wholesome and delicious 
food that has been prepared by the mistress 
of the farm, assisted, perhaps, by pretty rosy- 
cheeked daughters—American Beauty type 
—who greet you, serve you and tease you. 
This is the life, this is the appetite, this is 
the joy for a youth. Then a final smile in 
acknowledgment of the delightful service, 


Physical Development 181 


and with the jug refilled you are again bound 
for the cornfield. 

It is now high noon; the day is clear and 
the sun is hot among the corn; you become 
abnormally heated; perspiration is the nat¬ 
ural result, for perspiration is nature’s faith¬ 
ful bodily heat regulator. About four 
o’clock you return with the second half of 
the day’s work, provided you are active and 
a regulation husker of fifty bushels a day. 
And again the never-failing appetite for the 
palatable repast that follows doing the 
chores. 

However, the natural appetite created is 
not the only benefit that is derived from out¬ 
door cornhusking. The exercise itself can¬ 
not be excelled, as it necessitates moderate 
body-bending, stretching, walking and the 
manipulation of the hands and wrists. While 
classified as work, husking corn is really a 
light, healthful exercise which it would be 
well for every boy to practice for a season or 
two at least. 

All foods are generally classed as organic 
and inorganic. Organic substances are di- 


i 82 


Direct Method 


vided into those which contain nitrogen and 

those which do not. 

The organic nitrogenized substances are 
known as proteids, and are the most import¬ 
ant articles of food, as nitrogen is required 
in the formation of new cells or tissues and 
for the general nourishment of the body. We 
find the proteids in meat, the albumen or 
white of eggs, in milk, cream and cheese, in 
the gluten of wheat flour, and in lentils, peas 
and other vegetables. 

The organic non-nitrogenized substances 
contain no nitrogen, and are found in fats, 
starches and sugars, the latter being known 
as carbohydrates. Fats and sugars are nat¬ 
ural heat producers, as well as necessary ele¬ 
ments of nutrition. Organic substances in 
supplying the various tissues with nourish¬ 
ment lose their identity, and pass from the 
body in a changed condition as waste matter. 

Inorganic substances, consisting of water 
and the various salts, are essential in main¬ 
taining the functions of the body, and are 
needed in connection with the secretion of 
gastric juices. These substances are event- 


Physical Development 183 


ually eliminated from the system practically 
in the form in which they entered the body. 

It is a prevalent belief that “bread is the 
staff of life,” but that statement should be 
qualified, as a great deal of the alleged bread 
of today furnishes an extremely weak staff. 
This is especially true of refined-wheat bread, 
which really ought to be classified as angel 
food. Whole-wheat grain should be ground 
into whole-wheat flour and made into whole¬ 
wheat bread, without sifting or separating 
from it the external husk. Only through 
this process does bread truly become the staff 
of life. Whole-grain flour and whole-grain 
cereals are greatly superior to any other 
kinds as a sustaining diet, and they are of 
great benefit to the digestive system. 

Rye flour, in its coarse form, is used exten¬ 
sively in many of the European countries, as 
also is whole-wheat flour. The bread made 
from such flour contributes largely to the al¬ 
most universal health and ruggedness of the 
people, and to them actually is the staff 
of life. They prepare and bake their bread 
by the simple ancient Egyptian process. The 


184 


Direct Method 


bread is leavened with sour dough. The 
loaves are baked in the old-fashioned “Dutch 
oven,” which, in the rural districts, is built 
out of doors at a distance from the dwelling; 
it is usually constructed of fire-brick, dome¬ 
shaped, and covered with sod. A loaf-size 
lump of the newly made leavened dough is 
preserved for the next baking time, which oc¬ 
curs a few weeks thereafter. From the 
standpoint of health, bread thus prepared is 
far superior to that baked daily and made 
by modern methods from refined flour. 

It is estimated that within a period of five 
years twenty thousand people died of the 
dread disease pellagra, traceable to the eat¬ 
ing of bread from the flour of which the one 
preventive element, vitamines, had been ex¬ 
tracted. This element is located under the 
husk or outer layer of the grain, and contains 
lime-phosphate, a requirement of the human 
body; it gives to the intestinal tract and con¬ 
tents the material substance necessary to pro¬ 
mote normal activity. 

Whole-grain flour, either wheat, rye, or 


Physical Development 185 

corn, should be more generally used for mak¬ 
ing bread. 

Refined and polished cereals, canned 
meats, canned fruits and vegetables, are 
usually deficient in calcium, enzymes (fer¬ 
ments) and minerals, all of which are abso¬ 
lutely necessary to bodily health, strength 
and vitality. And as these necessary ele¬ 
ments are always present in whole-grain ce¬ 
reals, fresh meats, fruit and vegetables, it 
follows that they should be used, where pos¬ 
sible, in preference to canned articles of diet. 

Meat once a day suffices, and with it 
should be eaten potatoes and fresh vege¬ 
tables—the more the better—together with 
fresh, ripe fruit when it can be obtained. 
The liver requires such a diet in the perform¬ 
ance of its great work of purifying and reg¬ 
ulating the system. 

Potatoes are a staple article of food the 
world over, and may be prepared for the 
table in numerous ways. The boiling pro¬ 
cess, however, is the best, as they are thereby 
freed from all that is narcotic and noxious 
in their content. Potatoes contain about 


18 6 


Direct Method 


seventy-five per cent, water, two per cent, 
proteids, a fraction of fats and about twenty- 
two per cent, carbohydrates. Although lack¬ 
ing in nutritive qualities, the potato is never¬ 
theless a very healthful and wholesome 
article of food, and supplies an essential ele¬ 
ment of proper diet in conjunction with meat; 
in this respect it excels bread. The sweet 
potato, on the other hand, is considered far 
superior in flesh-forming properties. 

Foods strongly impregnated with salt, 
such as salted herring, codfish, mackerel, cer¬ 
tain salted meats, and kippered fish and 
meats, should be eaten at frequent intervals. 
The majority of people do not eat enough 
of the salted and brined foods, which per¬ 
form an important office in cleansing the di¬ 
gestive system of waste matter and restoring 
weakened functions. 

The claim is made by some physicians that 
the excessive use of salt tends to harden the 
arteries; notwithstanding the fact that 
ninety-five per cent, of the salt daily con¬ 
sumed is eliminated from the system un¬ 
changed. The natural craving for salt proves 


Physical Development 187 

it to be a human necessity, at least in reason¬ 
able quantities. Its value lies in the aid it af¬ 
fords the gastric juices in converting the food 
into chyme and preserving it long enough 
for the nutriment to become properly di¬ 
gested and assimilated. Salt also is a purify¬ 
ing agent, and serves to cleanse the digestive 
tract of micro-organisms that are inimical to 
health. 

Soups and bouillons, when properly pre¬ 
pared, are healthful. As the first course at 
dinner they are of value in preparing the 
digestive apparatus for the work to be per¬ 
formed later. From the standpoint of 
health, barley soup is the best, as it not only 
aids the digestive functions but provides a 
wholesome and highly nourishing food. 

The good old “way-down-east” baked 
beans and brown bread form a dietary com¬ 
bination that is not only delectable but is rec¬ 
ognized as being exceedingly wholesome and 
healthful. It is undoubtedly an excellent 
brawn builder. 

The food value of cheese as yet is not as 
fully recognized in this country as it is in 


18 8 


Direct Method 


Europe, where it is used largely as a substi¬ 
tute for meat. Cheese contains a large pro¬ 
portion of the essentials for the upkeep of 
the body, such as protein, lime, carbo¬ 
hydrates, etc., as well as certain bacteria 
which are especially beneficial to the stomach 
and the digestive tract. In fact, it is stated 
on good authority that these bacteria destroy 
other bacteria that not only are detrimental 
to the digestive system but are the cause of 
intestinal troubles. The eating of cheese, in¬ 
cluding the good old cottage cheese—that 
builder of brain and muscle—has undoubted¬ 
ly relieved many people of obstinate stomach 
and intestinal disorders. To safeguard the 
digestive system against micro-organisms, a 
small portion of cheese with the majority of 
meals will prove efficacious. The American 
Cheddar cheese equals in quality and even 
excels much of the foreign product. It is 
exported in great quantities and finds ready 
sale in the principal European markets. 

Eggs, if cooked until the whites become 
firm, are very nutritive and serve as an excel¬ 
lent substitute for meat. Few people, how- 


Physical Development 189 


ever, seem to be aware of the importance 
of cooking eggs thoroughly. In the raw, 
soft-boiled or soft-fried form, eggs are very 
liable to affect the digestive system adversely, 
when used as a steady diet. The egg within 
the shell principally consists of albumen, 
lecithin and phosphates, and in a very soft 
or raw state the white is exceedingly sticky. 
When served in a very soft form eggs are 
an unnatural food, as they are usually accom¬ 
panied by refined-flour bread, which converts 
the entire ration into pastelike, indigestible 
lumps which the churning process of the 
stomach is unable to convert into chyme. 
These lumps tend to obstruct the pyloric 
valve, at the terminus of the stomach, where 
the unabsorbed food and chyme at regular 
intervals enter the duodenum; and here they 
cause further retarding and produce poison¬ 
ous effects in the duodenum and in the re¬ 
mainder of the small intestines, followed by 
ill effects in the entire digestive tract. 

For these specific reasons raw or partially 
cooked eggs not only are the wrong food for 
healthy people, but they are wholly unfit for 


190 


Direct Method 


those who are afflicted with stomach or in¬ 
testinal disorders. And strange to say, very 
soft or emulsive eggs are usually prescribed 
for the removal of digestive ailments. Rich, 
nutritious soups, or cereals with cream or 
milk are much to be preferred, but if eggs 
are eaten under such conditions they should 
be fairly well cooked. Four and one-half 
or five minutes is the proper time for an egg 
to boil, when the white will become firm and 
the yolk medium soft. In fact this is the 
most reasonable and wholesome manner of 
serving eggs, as in this form they are per¬ 
fectly palatable—a true guide to proper di¬ 
gestion—which cannot be said of them when 
eaten in a very soft or emulsive state. 

The food value of certain nuts is becoming 
more generally recognized, and instead of 
being used exclusively as hors-d’oeuvre, nuts 
are now finding their way into many pala¬ 
table dishes. Nearly all the edible nuts are 
useful as food, but the one most generally 
used for all purposes is the pindar or great 
American peanut; it is very nutritious and its 
food value should not be underestimated be- 


Physical Development 19 i 

cause of its cheapness. Nuts have an addi¬ 
tional value in that their blended oily ele¬ 
ments are beneficial to the digestive system. 

For the perfect performance of its func¬ 
tions the human body constantly requires a 
lubricant in the form of fats, such as is de¬ 
rived from cream, butter, fish and animal 
fats, various vegetables, olive oil, etc. This 
is particularly required by the digestive sys¬ 
tem, as micro-organisms cannot thrive in oily 
matter. 

Pure olive oil is unquestionably the most 
easily digested among the fats or oils, and 
serves as the best lubricant for the digestive 
system. The fruit of the olive tree has been 
recognized in all ages as of great value 
for food and medicinal purposes, particularly 
for pulmonary or wasting diseases, in which 
it has no equal. Olive oil possesses the 
peculiar quality of opening the gall-duct, per¬ 
mitting the free passage of the bile into the 
digestive organs and making the contents a 
perfect emulsion, thus assisting these organs 
in their functions, which other oils or fats 
do not fully accomplish. Moreover, pure 


192 


Direct Method 


olive oil contains no lactic nor butyric acid, 
and is therefore more perfectly assimilated 
than butter, cream, or other fats and oils. 
Care should be taken in the selection of olive 
oil, as many foreign and domestic so-called 
pure olive oils are adulterated with cotton¬ 
seed oil or other substitutes, as well as being 
made from unripe olives, which unfits them 
for food or for medicinal purposes. 

Pure water is absolutely necessary to the 
maintenance of normal conditions in the 
body, and comparatively few people, espe¬ 
cially women, drink it in sufficient quantities. 
Water is needed to make up for loss of moist¬ 
ure from the skin and lungs and for the 
flushing of certain organs and glands, as well 
as preserving the symmetry of the' figure. 
Its importance may be better understood 
when it is remembered that the body consists 
of three-fourths water and one-fourth solid 
matter. 

An adult in normal health needs from two 
to three quarts of water every twenty-four 
hours. One-third of this is usually taken 
in with the food, so that in addition 


Physical Development 


193 


thereto four or five glassfuls Is about 
the required quantity. However, much 
depends on the class of work or exer¬ 
cise in which one is engaged, and on cli¬ 
matic conditions. The proper time, of 
course, to drink water is when natural thirst 
demands it. There is no justification for the 
old superstitious belief that if a quantity of 
water be taken with the meals it will flush 
the food and gastric juices from the stomach 
and convey them into the intestines before 
proper digestion takes place. On the con¬ 
trary, it is now authoritatively claimed that 
there can be no objection to drinking a rea¬ 
sonable quantity of cool water with the meals, 
so far as the digestive process is concerned. 
It rather has a beneficial effect in the churn¬ 
ing process of the stomach, and stimulates 
the flow of the gastric juices. No other ele¬ 
ment in the diet does this so quickly and 
effectually, and the gastric juice thus secreted 
has a higher concentration of acid than that 
contributed previous to the introduction of 
water. The same is true of pure milk, if 


194 


Direct Method 


taken in conjunction with non-acid, compat¬ 
ible food. 

Water is eliminated from the stomach 
very quickly; although, contrary to a time- 
honored belief, it carries with it no appre¬ 
ciable quantity of the solids; these remain for 
the action of the gastric juice. Once in the 
intestine, water materially assists the bile, 
retarding the development of harmful bac¬ 
teria in the liver. 

.Unoxygenated or still water, such as is 
obtained from urban pipe systems and wells, 
is made richer in life-giving qualities when 
it is well stirred, by pouring it several times 
streamlike from one vessel into another. It 
then becomes well oxygenated, like the 
sparkling streams, and accords with nature’s 
way of serving water to man and beast. Ice 
water should be used sparingly if at all and 
drunk slowly. Good home-made lemonade, 
buttermilk and bonnyclabber are healthful 
and refreshing drinks, and may be taken 
frequently with beneficial effects. On the 
contrary, avoid the numerous so-called soft 


Physical Development 195 

drinks, which cheap concoctions are often 
more harmful than spirituous liquors. 

The practice of conjoining at the same 
meal acid fruits, sauces or preserves, or even 
sour vegetables or vinegar preserves, with 
cream or milk, cannot be too strongly con¬ 
demned. When acid fruits or preserves are 
eaten, cream or milk should be omitted. The 
customary American breakfast, consisting of 
orange, grapefruit, or other acid fruit, fol¬ 
lowed with cream and cereal, is unwholesome 
and makes a poor combination diet, which 
must sooner or later cause a rebellious stom¬ 
ach and digestive tract. 

Finally, avoid overindulgence in refined- 
flour-fresh-yeast bread, biscuits, cake and pie, 
as it is responsible for a greater number of 
intestinal ailments than almost anything else. 
In fact, overeating of any kind of food is 
promotive of blood pollution. Nor is a strict¬ 
ly vegetarian diet advisable, as it supplies 
too much starch, and thus overtaxes the di¬ 
gestive organs. While considered light by 
those who have not given the subject much 
thought, a strictly vegetable diet is in reality 


196 


Direct Method 


heavy. On the other hand, certain meats, 
fowl and fish are actually light and easily 
digestible, as well as very nutritious. Where¬ 
fore, to maintain perfect digestion and as¬ 
similation, a congruous mixed diet, frequent¬ 
ly changed and thoroughly masticated, is es¬ 
sential, and this should be supplemented by 
the consistent practice of nerve and muscle- 
force exercises. 


CONCLUSION 

The latent powers of the human organism 
are manifold, and they ought to be more 
fully comprehended and utilized. In this 
treatise it has been the aim to encourage the 
reader to know himself, and to make use 
of these hidden resources; to impress him 
with a consciousness of his ability to truly 
control and govern every function of his 
body; to show him how the innate powers 
he possesses may be easily developed and 
applied at will for the attainment and preser¬ 
vation of mental and physical health. 

In the “Introduction” and in the treatment 
of the subjects “Direct Nerve-Force” and 
“Direct Muscle-Force” it is believed that a 
key has been furnished. The rules given 
for acquiring superior nerve and muscle- 
force by direct methods are simple, practical 
and easily adapted to individual require¬ 
ments. They are based on the self-evident 
truth that mind is the all-important factor 
in human endeavor; that mind controls 
everything, from the atom up through all 

197 


198 


Direct Method 


the myriad manifestations of matter or force. 

By “direct” methods is meant the con¬ 
sistent application of all the faculties of the 
mind, both conscious and subconscious, to 
the full development of the great vital forces 
with which all are endowed. In other 
words, to look inside; to become conscious 
of the power within; to develop that power, 
unaided by extraneous forces, to a state of 
efficiency that will insure permanent health 
and happiness. 

The descriptive and hygienic features, 
while of secondary importance, contain a 
great deal of valuable information. In 
fact, they are all in harmony with the prin¬ 
cipal subjects, and are in many respects 
valuable aids in the practice of “direct” 
methods. They are all a means to true 
preparedness. 

The description of the lungs and their 
functions, and the instructions for correct 
and full breathing or respiration, found in 
Part I, are deserving of careful study. Full 
breathing is aided and made easy through 
the proper muscular action of the diaphragm 


Physical Development 


199 


and the abdomen, and should be systemat¬ 
ically practiced at all times. This is of 
especial importance in connection with the 
various direct-method exercises. 

Interior exercises of the abdominal region, 
as explained in Part II and elsewhere, will 
not only benefit the digestive system, but will 
develop the muscles of the diaphragm. 
These muscles are of great assistance in the 
normal performance of the functions of the 
trunk region, and should be frequently 
manipulated. 

The workings of the nervous system, the 
action of the heart and the circulation of 
the blood, have received extended treatment 
in Part III, for the reason that they play 
important parts in the direct method of 
acquiring superior nerve-force. The import¬ 
ance of this knowledge will be more fully 
appreciated when it is remembered that 
every human emotion is experienced through 
the nervous system. 

The construction of the muscular system 
is made plain in Part IV, and the importance 
of physical activity in connection with the 


200 


Direct Method 


application of the direct method is empha¬ 
sized. Although corelated, direct muscle- 
force and direct nerve-force differ materially 
in certain aspects, the former being applied 
through very firm tensive compressure of 
short duration, followed by intermittent 
relaxation. In this part it is also shown 
how the direct method may be conjoined with 
special and general exercises, labor and 
sports. It is a proved system of muscle¬ 
building that is available to all. 

In Part V, bathing and dry friction are 
especially recommended, with a strong 
indorsement of the shower-bath for cleans¬ 
ing as well as invigorating purposes. The 
benefits to be derived from dry friction are 
many, and it were well if they were more 
generally known. 

Clothing the body in a rational manner, 
as advocated in Part VI, is not only necessary 
for comfort, but for health. Non-constric¬ 
tive apparel ought to be the rule rather than 
the exception. Linen or cotton should be 
worn next to the surface of the body, as they 
are a protection to the nerve-fibers of the 


Physical Development 


201 


skin in the performance of their important 
functions. All other fabrics, mixed or un¬ 
mixed, are more or less irritating and unsani¬ 
tary. 

The digestive organs and glands and their 
functions are given extensive treatment in 
Part VII, because this knowledge seemed 
necessary to a proper understanding of the 
subject “Wholesome Food.” The digestive 
system is mainly regulated by the pneumo- 
gastric (lung-stomach) nerve, its branches 
and the sympathetic or ganglionic nervous 
system. Together they control the involun¬ 
tary muscular fibers of the organs and glands 
of the entire trunk region; hence the impor¬ 
tance of applying direct nerve-force to these 
vital parts. The wholesome foods and 
drinks suggested in this part deserve careful 
consideration. 

There are altogether too many human 
hothouse plants in the world today. They 
are the men, women and children who lack 
the physical stamina to resist the rigors of 
the natural elements, while their acquired 
delicacy and susceptibility makes them easy 


202 


Direct Method 


victims of the countless ills with which they 
should never be afflicted. These sensitive 
plants need waking up. It is never too late 
to mend, and if they will follow the instruc¬ 
tions given in this treatise, even to a limited 
degree, they will soon praise God for having 
directed their attention to these pages. 


HOW TO LIVE FOREVER 

THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 

By Harry Gaze. 


work shows exactly how to perpetuate life in 
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Elegantly bound in Cloth, over 200 pp, 
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Paths to 
Power 

By FLOYD B. WILSON 


CONTENTS 


One’s Atmosphere 
Growth 

A Psychic Law in Student Work 
Unfoldment 

Power: How to Attain It 
Harmony 

The Assertion of the I 

The Tree of Knowledge—of Good and Evil 

Conditions 

Faith 

Back of Vibrations 
Wasted Energy 
Something About Genius 

Shakespeare: How He Told His Secret In the 
“Dream” and the “Tempest” 


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other kind, could, in connection with Art, be won¬ 
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consideration that the human Will, with all its 
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Table of Contents: 


Attention and Interest 
Self-Suggestion. 
Will-Development. 
Forethought. 

Will and Character. 
Suggestion and Instinct. 


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The Constructive 
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